Research interests

My undergraduate and master's degree projects researched the consequences of negative age stereotypes on problem solving and physical performance. Developing on this, my PhD will explore further: i) the effect that age stereotypes have on everyday physical behaviours, from perseverance to health optimism and autonomous feeling; ii) the mechanisms that cause peoples physical behaviours to be negatively affected by these age stereotypes; iii) methods of prevention. With the overall aim of increasing the recognition of, and reducing the negative impact of ageist attitudes that harm well-being in later life.

Thesis Title

Processes that Debilitate and Facilitate in Old Age: Stereotype Threat, Boost and Diversion

Supervisor

Professor Dominic Abrams (main supervisor)
Professor Richard Crisp

Funding

1+3 ESRC studentship

Publications

Swift, H. J., Lamont, R. A. & Abrams, D. (2012). Are they half as strong as they used to be? An experiment testing whether age-related social comparisons impair older people's hand grip strength and persistence. BMJ Open, 2(3), 1-6.

Conference Presentations

Swift, H., Lamont, R. & Abrams, D. (2011) Oral presentation of "The gripping effects of stereotype threat" as part of the symposium "Our Big Old Society: Experiences and consequences of Ageism". 40th BSG conference held in Plymouth.

Swift, H., Lamont, R. & Abrams, D. (2011, July). The gripping effects of stereotype threat. Poster presented at EASP General Meeting, Stockholm.

Teaching and Other Academic Activities

Associate lecturer:

• SP620: The Social Psychology of the Individual
• SP528: Child Development
• SP529: Personality
• SP619: The Social Psychology of Groups

Member of EURAGE

School of Psychology
Keynes College
University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7NP
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1227 824625
Fax. +44 (0)1227 827030
Email: Ruth Lamont

Office: Keynes L1.12