Abstract
Although the influence of stereotype threat (ST) on working self-concepts has been highlighted in recent years, its neural underpinnings are unclear. Notably, the aging ST, which largely influences older adults’ cognitive ability, mental and physical health, did not receive much attention. In order to investigate these issues, electroencephalogram (EEG) data were obtained from older adults during a modified Stroop task using neutral words, positive and negative self-concept words in aging ST vs. neutral control conditions. Results showed longer reaction times (RTs) for identifying colors of words under the aging ST compared to the neutral condition. More importantly, the negative self-concept elicited more positive late P300 amplitudes and enhanced theta band activities compared to the positive self-concept or neutral words under the aging ST condition, whereas no difference was found between these self-concepts and neutral words in the control condition. Furthermore, the aging ST induced smaller theta band synchronization and enhanced alpha band synchronization compared to the control condition. Moreover, we also observed valence differences in self-concepts where the negative self-concept words reduced early P150/N170 complex relative to neutral words. These findings suggest that priming ST could activate negative self-concepts as current working self-concept, and that this influence occurred during a late neural time course.
Highlights
As an important social cognitive factor, age-related stereotypes such as physical unattractiveness, loneliness, failing performance, morbidity and lack of creativity (Rothermund and Brandtstädter, 2003; Wheeler and Berger, 2007) have been prevalent in older adults’ daily lives
The analysis revealed that the main effect of the aging stereotype condition was significant for accuracy, F(1,36) = 7.609, p < 0.05, partial η2= 0.174: accuracy was lower in the aging stereotype group (M = 39.28%, SD = 20.69%) than in the control group (M = 56.12%, SD = 16.75%), indicating that manipulation of reading excerpts had effectively primed the aging stereotype threat (ST)
Results showed that only the main effect of aging stereotype conditions was marginally significant, F(1,35) = 3.082, p = 0.088, partial η2 = 0.081, indicating that reaction times (RTs) were longer under the negative aging ST (M = 638.00 ms, SD = 168.30 ms) than under the control condition (M = 548.16 ms, SD = 132.32 ms)
Summary
As an important social cognitive factor, age-related stereotypes such as physical unattractiveness, loneliness, failing performance, morbidity and lack of creativity (Rothermund and Brandtstädter, 2003; Wheeler and Berger, 2007) have been prevalent in older adults’ daily lives. Negative stereotypes about cognitive deterioration among older adults are widespread (Cuddy et al, 2005). Many studies have revealed the stereotypic view that older adults have poor memory and are associated with stereotypic characteristics such as dementia, slow thinking and forgetfulness (McConnell, 2011). These negative stereotypes are reportedly deeply rooted in most cultures (Cuddy et al, 2005) and affect cognitive and behavioral outcomes via stereotype threat (ST; Scholl and Sabat, 2008). Numerous studies have consistently revealed various detrimental effects of ST on older adults’ cognitive performance (e.g., Levy et al, 2012)
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