"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

TY - JOUR

T1 - "When the age is in, the wit is out"

T2 - Age-related self-categorization and deficit expectations reduce performance on clinical tests used in dementia assessment

AU - Haslam, Catherine

AU - Morton, Thomas A.

AU - Haslam, Alexander S.

AU - Varnes, Laura

AU - Graham, Rosanna

AU - Gamaz, Leila

PY - 2012/12/1

Y1 - 2012/12/1

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Age stereotypes

KW - Dementia assessment

KW - Self-categorization

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84873042259&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1037/a0027754

DO - 10.1037/a0027754

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22468850

AN - SCOPUS:84873042259

SN - 0882-7974

VL - 27

SP - 778

EP - 784

JO - Psychology and Aging

JF - Psychology and Aging

IS - 3

ER -