Stereotype threat as a trigger of mind-wandering in older adults.
Older adults (OAs) report less overall mind-wandering than younger adults (YAs) but more task-related interference (TRI; mind-wandering about the task). The current study examined TRI while manipulating older adults' performance-related concerns. We compared groups for which memory-related stereotype threat (ST) was activated or relieved to a control group. Participants completed an operation span task containing mind-wandering probes. ST-activated OAs reported more TRI than ST-relieved OAs and had worse performance on the operation span task. This study illustrates that environmental context triggers current concerns and determines, in part, the frequency and content of mind-wandering. (PsycINFO Database Record
Department of Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Megan L
ML
Jordano
Department of Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Dayna R
DR
Touron
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D064866:Mindfulness; D013240:Stereotyping; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis