Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


BGSU_Dissertations_0356_Keyes.pdf (8.96 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

A Study of Communication in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults

Keyes, Barbara J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566302070900012

Abstract Details

1976, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Psychology.
The Piagetian construct of egocentrism (i.e., the inability to consider two points of view simultaneously) has been used to explain many behaviors typically associated with the aging process (Looft, 1972). The present study assessed the effects of egocentrism by comparing the performance of middle-aged and elderly adults on a communication task involving perspective differences. A group of 96 noninstitutionalized adults, 32 from each of three age levels (middle-aged, X = 44. 19; young-elderly, X = 64.81; old-elderly, X = 76.19 years),served as either speakers or listeners. The control group (16 adults from each age level) was seated beside the experimenter (Oo) and communicated in the absence of perspective differences. The experimental group was seated either 90 degrees or 180 degrees from the experimenter and was required to compensate for the perspective difference to solve the communication problem. A one-trial transfer task was administered as a posttest to assess the generalizability of the solutions achieved by adults in the various age groups. The majority of young adults required only one feedback trial, if any, before entering the criterion run. The old-elderly took more trials and made more errors in reaching criterion. The old-elderly were also less likely to pass the transfer task than the young adults, suggesting age differences in the type of solution achieved. An examination of individual protocols revealed that the old-elderly tended to perseverate. upon egocentric responses and often made errors after achieving some measure of correct responding. These results could be interpreted as support for the notion that older adults have a tendency to respond in an egocentric fashion. An alternative explanation is that elderly adults solved in an associative fashion, responding to each message as a unique stimulus event. In contrast, young adults appeared to be conceptual, displaying a coordinated understanding of perspective differences.
Harry Hoemann (Advisor)
Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Keyes, B. J. (1976). A Study of Communication in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566302070900012

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Keyes, Barbara. A Study of Communication in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults. 1976. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566302070900012.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Keyes, Barbara. "A Study of Communication in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1976. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566302070900012

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1566302070900012
135
This document is provided by Bowling Green State University for research and educational purposes, and may be under copyright by the author or the author's heirs. Please contact the ETD Center administrator at Bowling Green State University etd@bgsu.edu with any questions or comments. In your email, be sure to include the URL and title of the specific items you are inquiring about.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.