Question

How might normative changes in memory affect sense of self?

Answer 1

Changes based in the cortical and cognitive mechanisms due to age-related decay in the functioning of the brain represent proximal and distal influences on the memory. In addition, certain other age related changes such as the emotional context of remembering and recall, stereotypes about gereatic issues such as aging and poor memory may also induce individuals repsonsiveness to their own memory skills and the elderly may invest lesser mental effort in trying to remember as they may underestimate their own memory skills as they internalise the social stereotype and beliefs about old age and the inability to recall. Thus, such normative changes in memory can hamper day to day activities and trigger experiences of frustration, as well as low self -esteem as individuals may find themselves amidst new challenges against their own dwindling mental(memory) capacity.