Rahhal,
Hasher, & Colcombe, 2001
These studies examined the
role of stereotype threat in accounting for memory
deficits in older adults.
In two
experiments, younger (average age = 19.5 & 19.3
years, respectively) and older participants (average age
= 69.4 years, range = 61-75 & 67.8, 60-74, respectively)
completed a memory task under instructions that either
emphasized (e.g., "we are interested in how good your
memory is") or de-emphasized (e.g., "we are interested
in your ability to learn facts") that memory was being
assessed. Participants were presented with trivia
statements, were told which statements were true and
which were false, and, after a delay, they had to
complete a recognition memory test for true versus false
statements. Older adults performed worse than young
adults under the instructions that emphasized memory,
but they performed as well as the young adults in the
memory de-emphasized condition. When negative
stereotypes about aging and memory were highlighted,
memory performance was negatively affected. Back to top | Previous
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