Social Cognition and Aging

Most of the research done in social cognition has been conducted with younger adults and may not be applicable to a much older population. Social Cognition and Aging provides a snapshot view of research that has been done with older adults or is directly applicable to this population. Focusing on issues of self identity, social interactions, and social perceptions, this book provides a broad overview of how aging affects one's own perceptions and actions as well as how others perceive and interact with the aged. Coverage includes such topics as self-control, memory, resilience, age stereotypes, moral development, and the "art" of living. With contributions from top researchers in both gerontology and psychology, this book is an important reference for academics and professionals alike in personality, cognition, social psychology, adult development, sociology, and gerontology.

Academics and researchers in gerontology, adult development and aging, and social psychology. Secondary audiences in developmental psychology and sociology.

Contributors. Foreword. F. Blanchard-Fields and T.M. Hess, The Social Cognitive Perspective and the Study of. Focus on Self: L.M. Soederberg-Miller and M.E. Lachman, The Sense of Control and Cognitive Aging: Toward a Model of Mediational Processes. C. Hertzog, T.T. Lineweaver, and C.L. McGuire, Beliefs About Memory and Aging. J.M. Berry, Memory Self-Efficacy in Its Social Cognitive Context. K. Hooker, Possible Selves in Adulthood: Incorporating Telenomic Relevance into Studies of the Self. J. Brandtstädter, Sources of Resilience in the Aging Self: Toward Integrating Perspectives. J.M. Fitzgerald, Autobiographical Memory and Social Cognition: Development of the Remembered Self in Adulthood. Section II. Focus on Others: M.L. Hummert, A Social Cognitive Perspective on Age Stereotypes. J.T. Erber and I.G. Prager, Age and Memory: Perceptions of Forgetful Young and Older Adults. F. Blanchard-Fields, Social Schematicity and Causal Attributions. T.M. Hess, Cognitive and Knowledge-Based Influences on Social Representations. Focus on the Social Context: Interactions Between Self and Other: R.A. Dixon, Exploring Cognition in Interactive Situations: The Aging of N+ 1 Minds. M.W. Pratt and J.E. Norris, Moral Development in Maturity: Life-Span Perspectives on the Processes of Successful Aging. S.T. Charles and L.L. Carstensen, The Role of Time in the Setting of Social Goals Across the Life Span. U.M. Staudinger, Social Cognition and a Psychological Approach to an Art of Life. Index.