Download or read book The Effect of Stereotype threat on Memory and Cortisol in Older Adults written by Ashley Dawn Ryan and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stereotype-threat is characterized by underperformance on a task after exposure to a negative, self-relevant stereotype. In the case of older adults, there is a widely-held stereotype that older adults have poor memory function. It has been suggested that reminding older individuals of this stereotype results in poorer memory performance on effortful, but not automatic memory tasks. Further, testing older adults under certain conditions may increase cortisol levels, a biomarker associated with stress. The present study investigated whether stereotype-threat affects implicit and explicit memory, and cortisol levels in older adults. We gave older adults (n = 62) an incidental encoding task wherein they rated a list of common words for pleasantness. Participants were randomly assigned to threat-activated or threat-eased groups, with each group reading a newspaper article designed to either induce or ease the salience of stereotype-threat. Memory was tested implicitly, via word stem completion task, and explicitly, via free recall task and forced choice recognition. Saliva samples were taken before encoding and after memory testing to assess changes in cortisol. Stereotype threat had no effect on implicit or explicit memory, or the change in cortisol levels over time. However, there was a negative relationship between salivary cortisol levels and free recall in older men. We suggest that this finding may be explained by sex differences in reactivity and resilience to psychosocial stressors. Further, we discuss the difficulties involved with measuring stereotype-threat in older adults, who are often tested in youth-favouring settings.

Download or read book Stereotype Threat written by Michael Inzlicht and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2012 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 21st century has brought with it unparalleled levels of diversity in the classroom and the workforce. It is now common to see in elementary school, high school, and university classrooms, not to mention boardrooms and factory floors, a mixture of ethnicities, races, genders, and religious affiliations. But these changes in academic and economic opportunities have not directly translated into an elimination of group disparities in academic performance, career opportunities, and levels of advancement. Standard explanations for these disparities, which are vehemently debated in the scientific community and popular press, range from the view that women and minorities are genetically endowed with inferior abilities to the view that members of these demographic groups are products of environments that frustrate the development of the skills needed for success. Although these explanations differ along a continuum of nature vs. nurture, they share in common a presumption that a large chunk of our population lacks the potential to achieve academic and career success.In contrast to intractable factors like biology or upbringing, the research summarized in this book suggests that factors in one's immediate situation play a critical yet underappreciated role in temporarily suppressing the intellectual performance of women and minorities, creating an illusion of group differences in ability. Research conducted over the course of the last fifteen years suggests the mere existence of cultural stereotypes that assert the intellectual inferiority of these groups creates a threatening intellectual environment for stigmatized individuals - a climate where anything they say or do is interpreted through the lens of low expectations. This stereotype threat can ultimately interfere with intellectual functioning and academic engagement, setting the stage for later differences in educational attainment, career choice, and job advancement.

Download or read book Effect of Aging Stereotype Activation on Older Adults Memory and Neural Activity written by Yung Tsen Chen and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ageist stereotype threat can impact older adults' cognitive ability, including memory performance, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. In this dissertation, I used behavioral tasks, physiological measurement, and brain imaging (fMRI) to identify the mechanisms underlying ageist stereotype effects in older adults. A large sample of cognitively normal older adults (mean age = 63.6) was randomly assigned to either a stereotype activation or control group. On the first day (baseline) all participants completed episodic and working memory tasks, and on the second day I gave instructions explicitly activating aging stereotypes (or a control passage) just before they took these same tests during fMRI brain scanning. There were three primary findings. First, although there was no overall stereotype effect on working memory or episodic memory performance, regression analyses based on prior work indicated that education and retirement status moderated the impact of stereotype activation on episodic memory performance. Second, self-report measures as well as physiological measures (e.g., heart rate variability) revealed that the stereotype manipulation did not increase anxiety or stress. These and other findings indicate that stereotype activation in the fMRI environment did not cause an extreme threat or emotional response in older adults, but may have instead motivated some of them to differentially engage the tasks than others. Lastly, using whole-brain fMRI and targeted Region-of-Interest (ROI) analyses, I found that stereotype activation increased activity in the superior and middle temporal gyrus, which have previously been associated with emotion regulation, as well as posterior midline regions (e.g., mid-cingulate, posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus), which have previously been associated with processing stereotype threat and self-referential thoughts. Stereotype activation also altered functional connectivity between these regions and prefrontal regions associated with self-relevant ideas and attentional focus (e.g., anterior prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex/ventromedial prefrontal cortex). These fMRI results are consistent with a motivational shift hypothesis, or the idea that aging stereotypes cause older adults to engage self-referential thought and a prevention-focused response style (i.e., trying harder to avoid losses and prevent errors). As a whole, these results demonstrate for the first time that stereotype activation can impact neural activity in older adults, even in the absence of large behavioral effects. This work emphasizes the importance of minimizing even the mildest stereotype threat in clinical settings aiming to use fMRI to help diagnose memory problems in older adults, as a stereotyping environment can significantly impact the test results.

Download or read book The Effect of Stereotype Threat on Cognitive Performance and Physiological Variability in Older Adults written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Previous work has shown that the activation of negative stereotypes influences performance in members of the stereotyped group. The present study attempted to test the applicability of stereotype threat to middle-aged and older adults in a medical setting. Specifically, the assumption that stereotype threat occurs as a normal response to any conditions in which individuals feel that the potential to be stereotyped exists was examined. Based on the theory of stereotype threat proposed by Steele (1997), it was hypothesized that anxiety would increase and performance would decline when patient stereotypes were activated in outpatients at the VA clinic. To test this hypothesis, VA patients aged 46 to 86 years were interviewed in a manner designed to either heighten or reduce threat through reference to either their patient status or, conversely, some positive aspect of self. Participants' cardiovascular and galvanized skin conductance (GSR) responses were monitored throughout the study, and measures related to anxiety and performance outcomes were also completed. Stereotype-related variations in anxiety were evident, with patients who talked about their medical experiences reporting more feelings of anxiety than patients who were interviewed about their leisure activities. Additionally, patients who were asked about their medical experiences demonstrated greater changes in their GSR readings over the course of the experiment, suggestive of higher levels of stress. Potential explanations for these results are explored including those relating to the cognitive structures activated by the negative stereotypes associated with being a patient.

Download or read book The Effects of Stereotype Threat on Older Adults Prospective Memory Performance written by Terrence K. Kominsky and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Influence Of Token Status Induced Stereotype Threat On Memory Performance In Older Adults written by and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of the proposed research was to investigate how contextual features of a situation affect cognitive performance. Specifically, this research explored the role that a social characteristic of the testing situation, group composition, had on memory performance. The study tested older adults (N=72) between the ages of 65 and 75 who were evenly divided into three testing conditions. In the minority status condition, one older adult was tested with two younger adult confederates whereas in the majority status condition, older adults were tested with two similarly aged individuals. The third condition involved individualized testing. It was expected that older adults would experience stereotype threat in the minority status condition and that this would result in poorer performance on a memory task relative to those in the majority status and alone conditions. Contrary to expectations, memory performance did not significantly differ between the three conditions, providing no support for the hypothesis that group composition at testing would be related to stereotype threat . In addition, no evidence was found that the hypothesized moderators (stigma consciousness, value placed on memory) and mediators (anxiety, evaluation apprehension, strategy use) were related to threat-based effects.

Download or read book Effects of Age Related Stereotype Threat on Memory and Executive Function written by Natasha Y. Fourquet and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recall performance is greatly affected when older adults are presented with stereotype threat regarding memory (See Lamont et al., 2015 for a review). Stereotype threat is a concern that one's performance will confirm negative stereotypes about one's group. In Study 1 (Chapter 2), we examined the effect of threat on metamemory processes and memory selectivity for high value information. Our findings showed that threat affected calibration (i.e., bets-recall, p=.045) and total score (p=.03), both which require metacognitive control. Our threat manipulation did not affect value. That is, both groups placed bets and recalled more high-value words than low and medium value words (p>.05). Metacognition goes hand in hand with executive control, thus it is possible that threat burdened both cognitive processes. Moreover, the effect of value was stronger than that of threat. In Study 2 (Chapter 3), we were interested in testing the effect of threat when the manipulation was done after encoding (i.e., prior to retrieval). We found no differences across groups in free recall or cued recall with this manipulation. However, we cannot refute the plausible effect of threat on retrieval given differences in experimental conditions (i.e., encoding time) between the current study and previous research. Taken together, our results provide partial support for executive function (See Chapter 2) as a possible mechanism of stereotype threat's effect on memory performance. We were interested in contributing to the growing body of literature on the cognitive mechanisms that underlie this disruption in performance. Study 3 (Chapter 4) aimed to assess the effect of different types of threat on executive function. Older adults were assigned to one of three conditions: a neutral, memory threat, or processing speed threat condition. Participants completed a task-switching paradigm, in which global, local, and alternating switch costs were examined. Reaction time and accuracy were used as dependent measures. Overall, participants displayed a pattern of performance that is consistent with the task switching literature. That is, older adults showed global and local switch costs (e.g., Mayr, 2001). Participants in the memory threat condition did not differ greatly from those in the neutral condition, while participants in the processing speed threat condition were significantly faster than the other two groups, (p=.03). We did not observe an interaction between trial type and group for local switch costs (p>.05). Group differences only emerged for global switch trials. It is possible that our processing speed threat manipulation may have prompted a reminder about the objective of the task. Taken together, incorporating value-based tasks into neuropsychological assessments would provide an improved objective measure of memory performance. Also, as suggested by Study 3 deemphasizing memory prior to a task of executive function may improve performance.

Download or read book The Effects of Stereotype Threat on the Associative Memory Deficit of Older Adults written by Matthew S. Brubaker and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the suggestions made in the literature regarding older adults' episodic memory decline is that it is caused by their reduced ability to bind together components of an episode and retrieve the binding (termed an associative deficit). The purpose of the current research is to assess whether the age-related associative memory deficit is at least partially mediated by stereotype threat, which has been shown to negatively affect performance on a wide variety of cognitive tasks, including memory performance of older adults. To date the effects of stereotype threat on older adults' memory performance have only been shown using tests of item memory, and between subject manipulations. The question assessed in the current research is whether older adults' associative memory will be affected by stereotype threat more than item memory, rendering it one potential factor underlying the associative deficit. To answer this question, three experiments were conducted, which used an item-associative recognition memory paradigm while manipulating stereotype threat both within and between subjects. The first two experiments attempted to establish the baseline effect by directly comparing item and associative memory in younger and older adults under induced stereotype threat, reduced stereotype threat, and no stereotype threat (i.e. control) conditions. While a baseline age-related associative deficit was not shown in the control condition, inducing stereotype threat did have a significant negative effect on older adults' associative memory performance without affecting item memory performance—suggesting that stereotype threat does increase the age-related associative deficit. The third experiment further assessed the stage of processing— encoding, retrieval, or both—during which the effect of stereotype threat on older adults' memory occurs. Results showed that when stereotype threat was induced only at retrieval, memory performance was in line with performance with the reduced stereotype threat and control conditions, suggesting that this effect of stereotype threat occurs primarily during encoding of the information.

Download or read book Impact of Stereotype Threat and Task Difficulty on Older Adults Memory Performance and Self efficacy written by Stephanie Ann Hicks and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Investigating the Influence of Stereotype Threat on the Creative Performance of Older Adults written by Sarah Burton and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Negative stereotypes about the cognitive functioning of older adults exist, including the belief that creative performance and abilities decline with age (Moody, 2002). Whilst the creativity literature tends to support this view, some suggests it is possible to maintain or improve such skills in older adulthood and factors other than chronological age might better explain the observed age differences. Hendricks (1999) suggests that the negative stereotypes themselves may contribute to age differences in creative performance, but as yet this has not been tested. Stereotype threat theory (Steele & Aronson, 1995) agrees with Hendricks (1999), suggesting that concern with confirming negative stereotypes about one's age group can undermine performance in a testing situation if the environment is designed to make such stereotypes salient. Stereotype threat is thought to affect performance via several mechanisms and three of these which have also been linked to creative performance are state anxiety, divided attention/cognitive interference, and motivation. However, whilst stereotype threat has been found to affect older adults' memory performance (e.g. Levy, 1996), it has not yet been applied to creativity and thus the present study is the first to attempt to apply the theory to older adults in this domain.

Download or read book The Impact of Stereotype Threat on Older Adults Performance on a Diagnostic Test for Dementia written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Influence of Stereotype Threat on Prospective Memory in Middle and Late Adulthood written by Sherrie L. Parks and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prospective memory, memory to perform future intended actions, is an important component of independent living for older adults. The current study examined prospective memory performance in 120 adults (Young-Old; 45-64 years old and Old; 65 - 87 years old) using Virtual Week (Rendell & Craik, 2000; Rendell & Henry, 2009). Virtual week was used to assess performance for regular and irregular event based, regular and irregular time based, and time check prospective memory tasks. Prospective memory performance under conditions of stereotype threat, stereotype boost, and a neutral condition was also examined. Stereotype threat occurs when individuals fear their behavior will confirm a negative opinion regarding one’s in-group. Older adults completed fewer prospective memory tasks compared to participants in the Young-Old group. No effect of stereotype condition on completion of prospective memory tasks was observed. The implication that stereotype threat may influence memory systems differently, as well as the possible role of the positivity effect on performance is considered.

Download or read book The Effect of Stereotype Threat and Goals on Older Adults Computer Learning and Performance written by Tiffany M. Rahn and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism written by Liat Ayalon and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-05-22 with total page 582 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book provides a comprehensive perspective on the concept of ageism, its origins, the manifestation and consequences of ageism, as well as ways to respond to and research ageism. The book represents a collaborative effort of researchers from over 20 countries and a variety of disciplines, including, psychology, sociology, gerontology, geriatrics, pharmacology, law, geography, design, engineering, policy and media studies. The contributors have collaborated to produce a truly stimulating and educating book on ageism which brings a clear overview of the state of the art in the field. The book serves as a catalyst to generate research, policy and public interest in the field of ageism and to reconstruct the image of old age and will be of interest to researchers and students in gerontology and geriatrics.

Download or read book Social Cognition and Aging written by Thomas M. Hess and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 1999-06-18 with total page 405 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most of the research done in social cognition has been conducted with younger adults and may not be applicable to a much older population. Social Cognition and Aging provides a snapshot view of research that has been done with older adults or is directly applicable to this population. Focusing on issues of self identity, social interactions, and social perceptions, this book provides a broad overview of how aging affects one's own perceptions and actions as well as how others perceive and interact with the aged. Coverage includes such topics as self-control, memory, resilience, age stereotypes, moral development, and the "art" of living. With contributions from top researchers in both gerontology and psychology, this book is an important reference for academics and professionals alike in personality, cognition, social psychology, adult development, sociology, and gerontology.

Download or read book Memory and Aging written by Moshe Naveh-Benjamin and published by Psychology Press. This book was released on 2012-05-04 with total page 441 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Current demographical patterns predict an aging worldwide population. It is projected that by 2050, more than 20% of the US population and 40% of the Japanese population will be older than 65. A dramatic increase in research on memory and aging has emerged to understand the age-related changes in memory since the ability to learn new information and retrieve previously learned information is essential for successful aging, and allows older adults to adapt to changes in their environment, self-concept, and social roles. This volume represents the latest psychological research on different aspects of age-related changes in memory. Written by a group of leading international researchers, its chapters cover a broad array of issues concerning the changes that occur in memory as people grow older, including the mechanisms and processes underlying these age-related memory changes, how these changes interact with social and cultural environments, and potential programs intended to increase memory performance in old age. Similarly, the chapters draw upon diverse methodological approaches, including cross-cultural extreme group experimental designs, longitudinal designs assessing intra-participant change, and computational approaches and neuroimaging assessment. Together, they provide converging evidence for stability and change in memory as people grow older, for the underlying causes of these patterns, as well as for the heterogeneity in older adults’ performance. Memory and Aging is essential reading for researchers in memory, cognitive aging, and gerontology.

Download or read book The First Year of College written by Robert S. Feldman and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An examination of the first year of college and the intersecting challenges facing today's students, written by top educational researchers.