Age differences in the formation of equivalence classes.
In order to investigate the relationship between stimulus equivalence class formation and age differences, two groups of elderly (ages 62-81) and young (ages 19-22) adult men and women mastered a series of simple and conditional discriminations. Subsequently, they were administered a test for the emergence of equivalence relations. There was a significant age difference in the emergence of equivalence relations, with the elderly subjects less likely to demonstrate equivalence relations. Measures of response latencies evidenced a general slowing of behavior for the elderly group across tasks. There were no gender or Age by Gender interactions. Possible explanations for the age differences are discussed.
Wilson
K M
KM
Psychology Department, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston 61920, USA.
Milan
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002965:Classification; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time