Motivation and Test Performance in Older Adults

Motivation plays a crucial role in test performance, but it is often overlooked. Older adults may show lower cognitive ability in IQ tests, but this could be due to their lack of motivation. Some older adults may already feel smart or comfortable with their intelligence, while others worry about declining intelligence and self-handicap. However, when motivation is increased, older adults perform better. Low-stakes testing can reduce pressure and mitigate stereotype threat issues, but if the stakes are too low, people may not care enough to showcase their abilities. Striking a balance is important. Research suggests that men perform better under higher pressure than women in tests. Time pressure is one aspect that affects test performance.