The things people say about us really can impact our mental abilities. It’s called “stereotype threat” — if you tell a child that they’re bad at math, he or she is more likely to score lower on a test. A new study from the University of California has shown that the same thing happens when adults are told that their memories are getting worse because of their age. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that can actually cause us to conform to the negative ideas society holds about us, even when they’re not true.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Sarah Barber, a cognitive psychologist at the USC Davis School, said this: “Older adults should be careful not to buy into negative stereotypes about aging — attributing every forgetful moment to getting older can actually worsen memory problems.”
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Elizabeth Kays is a storyteller with a background in science and a deep love for all things intercultural and intergenerational. She graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oxford, deepening her appreciation for science and culture. Elizabeth has more than 10 years of experience helping Millennials discover their talents. She’s more than a little bit nerdy and loves cooking, writing, speaking and watching cheesy sci-fi. Follow her on Twitter (@LizKays) and on Tumblr.
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