Cross-cultural beliefs about memory and aging for self and others: South Korea and Canada

Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2009;68(3):185-94. doi: 10.2190/AG.68.3.a.

Abstract

Young adults in Canada (N = 161) and South Korea (N = 165) rated either themselves or typical others at target ages 25, 45, and 65 years. In both countries, poorer memory was anticipated with each increase in age on all 3 memory belief factors: capacity, change, and locus. Both groups demonstrated a self-protective bias about age-related decline, with Koreans showing a greater effect. These findings demonstrate the cross-cultural generality of negative memory stereotypes of middle and old age and the importance of self-other distinctions in age biases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging / physiology
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Canada / ethnology
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Culture*
  • Humans
  • Korea / ethnology
  • Memory Disorders / psychology*
  • Self Concept
  • Self-Assessment
  • Young Adult