The effect of goal-setting and feedback on age differences in secondary memory.
Goal-setting and feedback have been found to improve performance on a variety of tasks. The present study applied this finding to an examination of adult age differences in secondary memory. Elderly and young adults completed a free-recall task in which one subgroup established a performance goal for blocks of trials and received feedback on a trial-by-trial basis. A second, comparison subgroup completed the same task without setting goals or receiving feedback. Results indicated that the use of the motivational technique of goal-setting and feedback increased memory performance of both age groups beyond that obtained under standard recall conditions.
Stadtlander
L M
LM
Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Coyne
A C
AC
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests