Certainly not limited to, nor scientific, but I call it "Old People" syndrome. Yes, many are very sharp and full of experience and wisdom. But for the few others, they are stuck in some time warp, nothing else to focus on, too much time on their hands, nor anyone that really listens to their nonsense.
I find it pitiful and see and hear it quite often. I don't think anyone could quite exhibit my behavior and I sure don't try to complain about people as everyone is different and each has their faults and each has their good points. It's a shame that happens but it's a fact of life.
It can be any or all of those things, depending upon the person and the specific behavior, as well as how they react to that behavior in others (i.e. holier-than-thou, non-stop ranting, cluelessly - that one can sometimes be quite funny).
In the case of those commercials who show people deformed by oral cancer from smoking who are telling us not to smoke---I find it more tragic than anything.