"When the age is in, the wit is out": Age-related self-categorization and deficit expectations reduce performance on clinical tests used in dementia assessment
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
This study examined the combined effects of age-based self-categorization and aging expectations on cognitive performance in a clinical context. An experimental study manipulated older adults' salient self-categorization as Younger or Older, as well as expectations that aging involves a specific memory decline versus generalized cognitive decline. Memory and general ability tests that are typically used in dementia screening were then administered. As predicted, self-categorization as Older dramatically reduced performance, but the measure on which this effect was revealed depended on aging expectations. Participants who self-categorized as Older and expected memory to decline performed worse on memory tests. Conversely, participants who self-categorized as Older and expected widespread cognitive decline performed worse on the general ability test. The clinical implications for the latter group were profound, because 70% met the diagnostic criterion for dementia, compared with an average of 14% in other conditions. The importance of self-categorization processes when interpreting performance on tests used to diagnose dementia are discussed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | Psychology and Aging |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 778-784 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 0882-7974 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
- Age stereotypes, Dementia assessment, Self-categorization
Research areas
ID: 214451673