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Threat or boost: Social comparison affects older people’s performance differently depending on task domain

Swift, Hannah J., Abrams, Dominic, Marques, Sibila (2012) Threat or boost: Social comparison affects older people’s performance differently depending on task domain. Journals of Gerontology, Series B, 68 (1). pp. 23-30. ISSN 1079-5014. (doi:10.1093/geronb/gbs044) (KAR id:29556)

Abstract

Objectives. In this research, we investigate whether social comparison with younger people can result in either a stereotype-based threat or boost in older people’s performance.

Methods. Study 1 used nationally representative data to establish domains of performance in which older people are either stereotypically disadvantaged or advantaged relative to younger people. Study 2 was an experiment to test how a potentially threatening versus control versus enhancing comparison with younger people would affect performance in negatively and positively stereotyped task domains.

Results. As predicted, compared with the control condition, stereotype threat caused performance decrements in both task domains. This effect was partially mediated by anxiety. Moreover, the enhancing social comparison boosted performance, but only on a crossword task, a task on which older people’s abilities are favorably stereotyped.

Discussion. The research demonstrates that a threatening comparison can result in underperformance by older people both in negatively and positively self-stereotyped task domains. It also demonstrates that social comparison with younger people can enhance older people’s performance in a positively stereotyped task domain. The implications for creating circumstances likely to enable older people to achieve their full potential are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/geronb/gbs044
Uncontrolled keywords: Age Social comparison Stereotype boost Stereotype threat Test performance
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Esme Rigden
Date Deposited: 18 May 2012 15:38 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:07 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/29556 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Swift, Hannah J..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Abrams, Dominic.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-4572
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