This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by RYAN, E. B. Articles by TROVATO, D. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Age-Based Perceptions of Language Performance Among Younger and Older Adults

SHEREE KWONG SEE

W. BRYAN MENEER

DIANE TROVATO

The present study tested differences between younger and older adults in self-perceptions and social perceptions of language performance. Sixty younger adults (M = 26.4 years) and 60 older adults (M = 72.9 years) completed the Language in Adulthood Questionnaire for themselves and then in terms of typical adults aged either 25 years or 75 years. As predicted, the younger respondents reported fewer problems with receptive and expressive aspects of conversational language performance than did their older counterparts. I terms of social perceptions, the two respondent groups expected individuals aged 25 to experience fewer problems with receptive and expressive language than individuals aged 75, except for two specially selected items for which the ratings predictably favored those aged 75 (i.e., telling enjoyable stories, sincere when talking). To provide perspective for these youth-oriented findings in the language domain, perceptions of conversational differences between adults of 25 and 75 were seen by both respondent groups to be less than age differences in memory and hearing. The study was designed and interpreted within a framework of multiple influences of language performance in later life that emphasizes cognitive, situational, and social psychological determinants.

Communication Research, Vol. 19, No. 4, 423-443 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/009365092019004002


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Baron and S. Bluck Autobiographical memory sharing in everyday life: Characteristics of a good story International Journal of Behavioral Development, March 1, 2009; 33(2): 105 - 117. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. L. Hummert and D. C. Mazloff Older Adults' Responses to Patronizing Advice: Balancing Politeness and Identity in Context Journal of Language and Social Psychology, March 1, 2001; 20(1-2): 168 - 196. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. L. Hummert, T. A. Garstka, and J. L. Shaner Beliefs about Language Performance: Adults' Perceptions About Self and Elderly Targets Journal of Language and Social Psychology, September 1, 1995; 14(3): 235 - 259. [Abstract]

				S. Kemper, D. Vandepute, K. Rice, H. Cheung, and J. Gubarchuk Speech Adjustments to Aging During a Referential Communication Task Journal of Language and Social Psychology, March 1, 1995; 14(1-2): 40 - 59. [Abstract]

				M. L. HUMMERT, J. F. NUSSBAUM, and J. M. WIEMANN Communication and the Elderly: Cognition, Language, and Relationships Communication Research, August 1, 1992; 19(4): 413 - 422. [Abstract]