Although the influence of stereotype threat (ST) on working self-concepts has beenudhighlighted in recent years, its neural underpinnings are unclear. Notably, the aging ST,udwhich largely influences older adults’ cognitive ability, mental and physical health, didudnot receive much attention. In order to investigate these issues, electroencephalogramud(EEG) data were obtained from older adults during a modified Stroop task usingudneutral words, positive and negative self-concept words in aging ST vs. neutral controludconditions. Results showed longer reaction times (RTs) for identifying colors of wordsudunder the aging ST compared to the neutral condition. More importantly, the negativeudself-concept elicited more positive late P300 amplitudes and enhanced theta bandudactivities compared to the positive self-concept or neutral words under the aging STudcondition, whereas no difference was found between these self-concepts and neutraludwords in the control condition. Furthermore, the aging ST induced smaller theta bandudsynchronization and enhanced alpha band synchronization compared to the controludcondition. Moreover, we also observed valence differences in self-concepts whereudthe negative self-concept words reduced early P150/N170 complex relative to neutraludwords. These findings suggest that priming ST could activate negative self-concepts asudcurrent working self-concept, and that this influence occurred during a late neural timeudcourse.
展开▼
