The hypothesis of decreased self-confidence in later life was tested by comparing self-ratings of 18 elderly and young adult Ss (Ns = 40, 18) with two questionnaires. When specific information was involved, old and young were similar with respect to confidence in the correctness of response. When judgments about oneself were involved, the older Ss indicated more self-confidence than the young, not less. The relation between age and confidence seems to be a matter of context.
References
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