It helps with processing information. |
It's no surprise that age-related losses or lapses in memory can challenge our deeply embedded sense of control. Thus, we find an increase with age in beliefs that memory declines are an inevitable, irreversible, and uncontrollable part of the aging process. These beliefs are detrimental because they are associated with distress, anxiety, and giving up without expending the effort or strategies needed to support memory. |
One's sense of control is both a precursor and a consequence of age-related losses in memory. Our study shows the more you believe there are things you can do to remember information, the more likely you will be to use effort and adaptive strategies and to allocate resources effectively, and the less you will worry about forgetting. |