Final answer:
Older adults might be less motivated to take part in working memory tests due to a decline in fluid intelligence, lack of interest, fear of failure, and possibly age-related stereotypes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Older adults might feel less motivated to participate in tests of working memory for several reasons, including a lack of interest in cognitive tasks, fear of failure, and overconfidence in cognitive abilities. As people age, they experience a decline in certain cognitive abilities, specifically fluid intelligence, which includes memory, information processing abilities, and reasoning. This can lead to apprehension towards memory testing due to concerns about demonstrating cognitive decline. Additionally, older individuals may have a multitude of interests and responsibilities that compete with their willingness to engage in such tasks, potentially affecting their motivation levels. Moreover, the psychological impact of age-related stereotypes and the associated stress of possibly confirming these may also contribute to a reduced motivation in participating in memory tests.