Age of the examiner and older people's memory performances: A test of the stereotype threat theory using variations on negative age stereotypes across 18 European countries

Abstract

This study investigated whether the age of examiner effect, that is, the positive relation between cognitive performance of older people and age of their examiner, relies on stereotype threat. Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), European Social Survey, European Statistical Office (Eurostat) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe were crossed. Older people from different countries were tested on verbal short‐ and long‐term recall components of memory, by examiners of different ages. Country‐specific indicators of negative age stereotypes, related to the stereotype threat mechanism, were used. We expected that the age of examiner effect would be stronger in countries with more negative age stereotypes. The results replicated the age of examiner effect, but contrary to our hypothesis, this effect was not moderated by countries’ indicators of negative age stereotypes. Negative age stereotypes across countries, such as experienced discrimination among older people, lack of active ageing index, unemployment ratio and perceived negative competence of older people decrease memory. The results are discussed in relation to stereotype threat theory.