How Age Stereotypes Shape Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

How Age Stereotypes Shape Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

A consistent finding in aging research is that older adults tend to perform worse than younger adults on tests of memory and cognitive function. These differences are often attributed to age-related declines in brain structure and function. However, adopting a purely biological approach to the study of cognitive aging overlooks the important role of social context in contributing to age differences in performance. For example, when older adults are tested in research or clinical settings, they may worry that their age has negatively affected their abilities or feel anxious about experiencing “senior moments”. They may also feel concerned that others expect them to perform poorly because of their age. In this talk, Dr. Barber will discuss how these concerns and negative stereotypes about aging can adversely impact cognitive performance as we grow older.

Sarah Jane Barber, Georgia State University

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