Aging, inhibition, and social inappropriateness.
This study explores the hypothesis that age-related declines in inhibitory ability are associated with increases in socially inappropriate behavior. Consistent with this hypothesis, older participants were less likely than younger participants to differentiate between public and private settings when inquiring about potentially embarrassing issues, according to their peers. Additionally, this indiscriminate public inquiry was associated with decreased closeness with participants' peers, particularly for older adults. Finally, this age-related increase in social inappropriateness was mediated by inhibitory deficits associated with aging. These results suggest that age-related deficits in inhibitory ability may cause people to become socially inappropriate against their will.
von Hippel
William
W
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. w.vonhippel@unsw.edu.au
Dunlop
Sally M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010379:Peer Group; D011287:Prejudice; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values; D013240:Stereotyping; D014705:Verbal Behavior