title: Effects of thematic information on script memory in young and old adults.
abstract: In two experiments, we evaluated the hypothesis that older adults' poorer memory for prose is due to an inability to integrate thematic information with text material. Subjects read scripts either preceded by a thematic background or no theme. In Experiment 1, memory was tested either immediately or after 24 hr delay. Younger adults (aged 20-36) recalled more and were more accurate in recognition than were older adults (aged 57-87). Both younger and older subjects were affected by thematic information in delayed, but not in immediate recall. In Experiment 2, we presented a shorter narrative and memory was tested only after 24 hr. Younger subjects recalled more than older ones, but their recognition scores did not differ from those of the older adults. As in Experiment 1, there was no interaction of age with thematic information. The results of these studies suggest that older adults are as likely to integrate thematic information in remembering as younger ones.
authors.affiliation: Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0191.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zelinski
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Miura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D003210:Concept Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011932:Reading; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013067:Speech Perception