Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging

Motivational and Contextual Influences

Edited by Grzegorz Sedek, Thomas Hess, and Dayna Touron

Unique in focusing on the motivational and contextual influences on aging and cognitive functioning
Considers individual differences in cognitive aging, showing how those interact with motivational factors
Describes the methodological advances that have helped us improve our understanding of cognitive aging

Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging

Motivational and Contextual Influences

Edited by Grzegorz Sedek, Thomas Hess, and Dayna Touron

Description

The study of aging and cognition has grown exponentially over the past 50 years, developing from a field dominated by experimentally based information-processing traditions to one represented by a more mature approach both conceptually and methodologically. In the past 10 years there has been growth in integrative approaches that incorporate behavioral, neuropsychological, and social information. In addition, there has been a growing recognition of the limitations associated with simple cross-sectional age-group comparisons, along with an increased use of more complex methods. This has resulted in the development of increasingly sophisticated research designs and analytic tools focused on understanding a multitude of potential mediators and moderators of cognitive change. The result has been a move away from negative-views of cognitive aging to one that is more nuanced and sensitive to contextual factors.

Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging explores the factors associated with adaptive functioning in later life. Its emphasis is on understanding both the factors underlying individual differences in change in cognitive functioning in later life and the nature of the compensatory mechanisms developed by most successful and active middle-aged and older adults. This includes a consideration of motivational factors as a driver of both cognitive change and adaptive functioning.

For students and researchers, Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging offers valuable insights into the field of cognitive development, along with innovative methodological approaches to help them in their own research.

Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging

Motivational and Contextual Influences

Edited by Grzegorz Sedek, Thomas Hess, and Dayna Touron

Section I: Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction and Major Themes
Thomas M. Hess, Grzegorz Sedek, and Dayna R. Touron

Section II: Motivational Influences on Cognition in Older Adults

Chapter 2: Subjective Perceptions of Cognitive Costs: Determinants and Impact on Motivation and Engagement
Thomas M. Hess

Chapter 3: Motivated Memory for What Matters Most: How Older Adults (Selectively) Focus on Important Information and Events Using Schematic Support, Metacognition, and Meaningful Goals
Mary C. Whatley, Dillon H. Murphy, Katie M. Silaj, & Alan D. Castel

Chapter 4: Motivational Processes in Emotional Aging
Hannah Wolfe & Derek Isaacowitz

Chapter 5: The Positivity Effect: A Review of Theories and Recent Findings
Sarah J. Barber & Hyunji Kim

Chapter 6: Stereotyping and Effort Mobilization in Older Age: The Role of Self-Involvement
Gabriela Czarnek, Malgorzata Kossowska, & Michael Richter

Chapter 7: Motivational Reserve: The Role of Motivational Processes in Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
Simon Forstmeier, Myriam Verena Thoma, & Andreas Maercker

Section III: Contextual Influences on Cognition and Compensatory Mechanisms in Aging

Chapter 8: Social and Cultural Influences on Cognitive Aging
Angela Gutchess, Nicole M. Rosa, & Danielle B. Schwartz

Chapter 9: Why Do Some Older Adults Avoid Memory Retrieval When Acquiring a New Skill?
Christopher Hertzog & Dayna R. Touron

Chapter 10: Age Differences in Complex Decision Making and Judgment: The Role of Motivational Factors and Individual Differences
Klara Rydzewska, Maciej Ko?cielniak, Bettina von Helversen, & Grzegorz Sedek

Chapter 11: Motivation and the Social Context of Aging and Decision Making
JoNell Strough & Kelly Smith

Chapter 12: Controlling the Wandering Mind: Spontaneous Thought Content Suggests Compensation for Cognitive Decline
Dayna Touron

Chapter 13: The Potential for Socially Integrated and Engaged Lifestyles to Support Cognitive Health With Aging: Precursors and Pathways
Elizabeth A. L. Stine-Morrow, Ted W. Worm, Aron K. Barbey, & Daniel G. Morrow

Section IV: Maintenance of Cognitive Abilities and Modern Forms of Intervention

Chapter 14: There Is Nothing Wrong with Cognitive Aging, and Here Is What to Do About It
Paul Verhaeghen

Chapter 15: Cognitive Plasticity Induced in Older Adults by Cognitive Training, Physical Exercise and Combined Interventions
Soledad Ballesteros

Chapter 16: Adapting Algorithms on the Web to Deal With Cognitive Aging
Radoslaw Nielek, Justyna Pawlowska, Klara Rydzewska, & Adam Wierzbicki

Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging

Motivational and Contextual Influences

Edited by Grzegorz Sedek, Thomas Hess, and Dayna Touron

Author Information

Grzegorz Sedek is Professor of Psychology and Head of the Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Cognitive Studies (ICACS) at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw, Poland. He has published research on such topics as cognitive aging, subclinical depression, and learned helplessness.

Thomas M. Hess is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology at North Carolina State University and recipient of the APA Baltes Distinguished Research Achievement Award.. He has published extensively on cognitive and social cognitive functioning in adulthood.

Dayna R. Touron is Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is Associate Editor of Experimental Aging Research and on the editorial boards of Psychology and Aging and Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied.

Contributors:

Soledad Ballesteros, PhD
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia

Sarah J. Barber
Georgia State University

Aron K. Barbey, PhD
University of Illinois

Alan D. Castel, PhD
University of California

Gabriela Czarnek, PhD
Jagiellonian Univeristy

Simon Forstmeier, PhD
University of Siegen

Angela Gutchess, PhD
Brandeis University

Christopher Hertzog, PhD
Georgia Institute of Technology

Thomas M. Hess, PhD
North Carolina State University

Derek Isaacowitz, PhD
Northeastern University

Hyunji Kim, MA
Georgia State University

Maciej Kocielniak, PhD
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Malgorzata Kossowska, PhD
Jagiellonia University

Andreas Maercker
University of Zurich

Daniel G. Morrow, PhD
University of Illinois

Dillon H. Murphy, MA
University of California

Radoslaw Nielek
Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology

Justyna Pawlowska, PhD
Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology and SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Michael Richter

Nicole M. Rosa
Worcester State University

Klara Rydzewska, PhD
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Danielle B. Schwartz, B.S.
Brandeis University

Grzegorz Sedek, PhD
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Katie M. Silaj, MA
University of California

Kelly Smith, MS
West Virginia University

Elizabeth A. L. Stine-Morrow, PhD
University of Illinois

JoNell Strough, PhD
West Virginia University

Myriam Verena Thoma, PD Dr. phil.
University of Zurich

Dayna R. Touron, PhD
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Paul Verhaeghen, PhD
Georgia Institute of Technology

Bettina von Helversen, PhD
University of Bremen

Mary C. Whatley, MA
University of California

Adam Wierzbicki, PhD, DSc
Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology

Hannah Wolfe, MS
Northeastern University

Ted W. Worm
University of Illinois