Your memory gets worse if you think it will
If you think your memory will get worse with age, it probably will, claim scientists. Researchers found OAPs who think older people will perform poorly on tests of memory are actually much worse at remembering things.
A team from North Carolina State University tested the memory of a group of 60-82-year-olds who were also quizzed about how they thought aging effected memory.
They found senior citizens with preexisting negative stereotypes - or those who were told older people do poorly - had the worst memories.
Seniors who couldn't remember if they thought memories got worse with age were excluded from the sample.
Dr Tom Hess said: "Older adults will perform more poorly on a memory test if they are told that older folks do poorly on that particular type of memory test.
"The positive flip side of this is that those who do not feel stigmatized, or those in situations where more positive views of aging are activated, exhibit significantly higher levels of memory performance."
"In other words, if you are confident that aging will not ravage your memory, you are more likely to perform well on memory-related tasks."
LINKS
North Carolina State University
"The positive flip side of this is that those who do not feel stigmatized, or those in situations where more positive views of aging are activated, exhibit significantly higher levels of memory performance."
"In other words, if you are confident that aging will not ravage your memory, you are more likely to perform well on memory-related tasks."
LINKS
North Carolina State University
