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July 24, 2008 11:51:35 PM CDT

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Aging Brain, Not Racism, Explains Elderly Gaffes

Posted Sep 26, 07 2:03 PM CDT in US,  Arts & Living,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Grandma’s verbal faux pas might signal not that she’s more prejudiced than younger relatives, but rather that she’s unable to disguise or overcome stereotypes, a study shows. Anecdotal evidence suggests, and earlier studies confirmed, that older Americans are more racist, but new research shows age-related brain shrinkage may be behind “social inappropriateness,” Newsweek reports.

Many have unconscious prejudices that are managed by the frontal lobe, but the brain’s natural shrinkage affects that area. Scientists found older people who used stereotypes were less able to filter distracting text from writing they were asked to read aloud. Inquiries on other verboten topics—say, a recent break-up—may stem from the same uncontrollable recourse.

Source Newsweek

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As the brain shrinks, particularly atrophy in the frontal lobes, the ability to restrain unwanted or irrelevant thoughts is weakened, opening up for latent prejudices and outbursts of temper.   (Shutterstock.com)
Inappropriate comments from the elderly, long dismissed as social remnants of other eras, may be the product of reduced inhibitions as our brains age.   (Shutterstock.com)
%u201Colder adults are more likely than younger adults to talk excessively and about topics that are irrelevant to the stream of conversation . . . despite the fact that older and younger adults agree...   (Shutterstock.com)
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racism  • elderly  • Generation X  • Baby Boom generation  • frontal lobe


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