An examination of the role of sustained attention and regulatory focus in stereotype threat and older adults and experiences of perceptions of ageing

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dc.contributor.advisorSetti, Annalisa
dc.contributor.advisorDockray, Samantha
dc.contributor.authorFawsitt, Feargusen
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-29T12:16:58Z
dc.date.available2025-01-29T12:16:58Z
dc.date.issued2023en
dc.date.submitted2023
dc.description.abstractThe ageing process is largely thought of as a purely biological process but there are consequential psychological and social aspects of ageing. Perceptions of ageing are how individuals see older adults and the ageing process. These perceptions can have powerful direct and indirect effects on the experiences and lives of older adults. In the short term, being exposed to negative stereotypes about ageing can impact the performance of older adults on tests, such as those to detect cognitive decline. This effect appears to be caused by individual’s concern being negatively evaluated due to an aspect of their identity. This phenomenon is known as stereotype threat. In the long-term, holding negative views of ageing has been linked with serious health conditions and decreased lifespan. The mechanisms for this are unclear but it has been suggested by Levy’s (2009) Stereotype Embodiment Model that there are several pathways these negative views act through, including biological, behavioural, and psychological. Although these concepts appear related, research exploring the potential connections between stereotype threat and perceptions of ageing is scarce. This thesis explores theoretical and practical connections between these two areas while working on building our understanding of the experiences of Irish older adults’ perceptions of ageing. Chapter 1 introduces the background, concepts and literature on perceptions of ageing and stereotype threat in older adults, in the context of an ageing Western society, where negative stereotypes of older adults are still present and operating. Chapter 2 is a targeted literature review which proposes an update of Levy’s 2009 Stereotype Embodiment Theory on the mechanisms through which perceptions of ageing influence outcomes over the lifespan. Our updated model more concretely connects stereotype threat and potential mechanisms to the short-term pathways of the model. This model makes several testable predictions which are explored later. Chapter 3 provides updated evidence since the publication of the paper based on Chapter 2. Chapter 4 uses a cross-sectional methodology to explore correlational relationships between perceptions of ageing and trait regulatory focus, a key explanatory idea in the stereotype threat literature. Existing research findings support a connection between negative perceptions of ageing and a prevention focus providing early evidence these areas could be related which supports the updated model from Chapter 2. Chapter 5 uses reflexive thematic analysis to explore qualitative data from a sample of Irish older adults about their experiences and perceptions of ageing. Participants identified both positives and negatives to ageing as well as a complex perspective on how to age well in Irish society. Chapter 6 further tests predictions made in Chapter 2 on the mechanisms underpinning stereotype threat in older adults. Specifically testing two explanations for stereotype threat in older adults in a test of sustained attention. These findings support executive interference, a specific account of a mechanism potentially underpinning stereotype threat, but stereotype threat may act differently in certain circumstance such as the nature of the assessment, the surroundings, and the specific age range. Finally, Chapter 7 discusses how these findings build our understanding of perceptions of ageing, stereotype threat, and ageing in older adults. Each set of findings and theories is also contextualised with more current research and knowledge. Future directions and limitations are also discussed. Taken together this thesis links perceptions of ageing and stereotype threat by exploring the dominant models in Levy’s Stereotype Embodiment Theory, The Executive Interference model by Schmader, and Barber’s work on Regulatory Focus as explanations for stereotype threat in older adults. By including qualitative data and analysis, an understanding of the unique situation of older adults in Ireland is recognised and more insight is gained into their perceptions of growing older, both positive and negative.en
dc.description.statusNot peer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationFawsitt, F. 2023. An examination of the role of sustained attention and regulatory focus in stereotype threat and older adults and experiences of perceptions of ageing. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.
dc.identifier.endpage213
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/16919
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity College Corken
dc.rights© 2023, Feargus Fawsitt.
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectPerceptions of ageing
dc.subjectStereotype threat
dc.subjectStereotype Embodiment Model
dc.subjectAttention
dc.subjectRegulatory focus
dc.subjectThematic analysis
dc.subjectOlder adults
dc.titleAn examination of the role of sustained attention and regulatory focus in stereotype threat and older adults and experiences of perceptions of ageing
dc.typeDoctoral thesisen
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoralen
dc.type.qualificationnamePhD - Doctor of Philosophyen
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