Age-based stereotype threat: A scoping review of stereotype threat methodologies and their effects on physical performance

This scoping review examines the impact of age-based stereotypes on older adults' physical performance within the stereotype threat theory. While research has shown that cognitive performance declines in various populations after negative stereotype induction, studies on older adults' physical performance remain scarce and present mixed results. The review aimed to map existing research, analyse methodologies, and synthesise findings to provide a clearer understanding of the literature. Two independent reviewers screened 11,475 articles, resulting in a total of 14 eligible studies. This review finds inconsistent effects of age-based stereotypes on older adults' physical performance, with mostly no effect observed, but occasionally negative or even positive effects. This divergence may be attributed to several methodological factors related to the variability of task difficulty and nature, of stereotype manipulations, and of the characteristics of the older adults recruited. However, it appears that certain psychological factors are impacted more importantly. We argue that it is premature to draw definitive conclusions about age-based stereotype threat effects on physical performance, as not all of the necessary conditions to validate or refute these effects have yet been met. Based on these findings, a number of recommendations are proposed.Pre-registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7496S.