Abstract
This chapter reviews the emerging literature on the ways in which culture can influence memory with age. It first discusses the typical effects of healthy and pathological aging (Alzheimer’s disease [AD]) on brain metrics. Next, comparisons of healthy older adults across cultures are reviewed, including studies of brain structure, function, and strategies that yield accurate or erroneous memory. Social influences, such as stereotypes and beliefs about aging, are presented in terms of their direct effects on memory outcomes. The next section considers socioemotional influences more broadly, including social networks and future time perspective that can impact focus on positive information, and how they can impact cognition and memory across cultures with age. The chapter next focuses on AD. Although the work on healthy aging underscores the potential for malleability in memory and cognition across cultures, this may not be possible when pathological changes occur. Thus, this section discusses ways in which culture could impact risk factors for AD and diagnosis, including a number of challenges and considerations for neuropsychological assessment.
