Aging and Stereotypes

Term Paper # 116551

Aging
Psychology > Memory

A look at some of the stereotypes surrounding aging and memory loss.

1,096 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper considers whether the loss of memory in some individuals is due exclusively to an organic disruption within their brain, such as the degenerative disease of Alzheimer's, or if psychological aspects also come into play when determining the loss of memory. Given the existence of evidence pointing both ways, as is exhibited, the paper discusses how the loss of one's memory is at times organic in the case of Alzheimer's disease, but also how the presence or lack thereof of such a disease does not rule out the psychological and sociological influence upon the aging individual's perception of his memory.

From the Paper:

"In an article published in the New York Times this particular topic was explored through the use of an experiment, in which the sociological effect of aging stereotypes affected those taking the tests. The psychologists in the experiment utilized a means of an exam, and to test the psychological effects and perception of aging, told the participants, who as mentioned above were in their upper middle-ages and thus at the age in which memory is a serious issue, told them that they were being included into a study which was aimed at individuals over the age of seventy. This particular detail which served to include the individuals into a group of more aged individuals was a mechanism to remind the upper middle-aged test-takers that true old age was not particularly far away. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Palmore, Erdman B.; Levy, Becca R.; Branch, Laurence; Harris, Diana K. "Memory Stereotypes." Encyclopedia of Ageism. 2005. pp. 227-229.
Carey, Benedict. "A 'Senior Moment' or a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?" New York Times. 18 July 2006.