Elder research: filling an important gap in psychology and law

Abstract

In the past few decades, psychology–law as a discipline has made great strides in understanding and guiding public policies on issues related to eyewitnesses, confessions, juries, judges, juveniles, the mentally ill, and many others. As a field, we have largely neglected the oldest subset of the population, with only a few scholars focusing specifically on elder issues or systematically including elders in their studies. The current article is a call to research. It first outlines why elders should be considered as a specific subset of the population even though they have not been an area of focus in the field. Second, the article provides suggestions for integrating elder issues into more common psychology–law research as well as some new areas for research. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Age and lineup type differences in the own-race bias

“…Therefore, the current research not only fills a gap in the eyewitness research with a timely inclusion of older adult participants (Brank, 2007), but does so using a full diagnostic design (Steblay et al, 2011). The findings suggest that older adults should be more fully examined in eyewitness research because some of the current notions about ORB are not the same for younger and older adults.…”

Who You Calling Old? Measuring “Elderly” and What It Means for Homicide Research

“…Although using a particular age demarcation provides a convenient definition, it is unclear what this age should be. Researchers have used various ages ranging from 50 to 75 (Blowers, 2004; Brank, 2007; Denton & Spencer, 1999, 2002; Orimo et al, 2006). Divergence arises even among agencies that serve this population (Brank, 2007).…”

“…Researchers have used various ages ranging from 50 to 75 (Blowers, 2004; Brank, 2007; Denton & Spencer, 1999, 2002; Orimo et al, 2006). Divergence arises even among agencies that serve this population (Brank, 2007). For example, the definition of elderly for Adult Protective Services varies by state with most states using either age 60 or 65 to define elderly (Stiegel & Klem, 2007).…”

“…The basis for this age is believed to have its origins in Bismarckian Germany and the designation of 65 as the age citizens could participate in the national pension plan. Age 65 was selected based on the belief that most would die before reaching this age in the 19th century (Brank, 2007; Orimo et al, 2006). More recently, the use of age 65 as the basis for full retirement by the U.S. Social Security Administration likely encouraged defining elderly using this criterion.…”

Assuming Elder Care Responsibility: Am I a Caregiver?

“…This conflict is further complicated by three major factors. (1) We lack clear definitions of which elders require care and who is responsible for providing that care (Brank 2007). (2) If an active decision is made to enter into an informal care-giving relationship, it is often based on moral or emotional rationalizations, which research suggests will result in less optimal decisions (Baumeister et al 2006). (3) A large number of reported elder injuries are caused by unintentional neglect by informal familial caregivers (Teaster et al 2006).…”