Response latencies for false memories: gist-based processes in normal aging.
Three experiments have demonstrated that age-related increases in both probability and speed of false recognitions for word lists depended on the use of a gist-based memory strategy. When test conditions promoted a gist strategy, both younger and older participants were as likely to falsely recognize a thematically associated lure as to correctly recognize a studied item, and both groups were equally fast in making these decisions. However, when test conditions deemphasized a gist-based strategy, older adults were more likely than younger adults, and faster, to falsely recognize both strong and weakly associated lures. These findings suggest an age-related increase in reliance on gist-based processing that may underlie age differences in false memory.
Tun
P A
PA
Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02254, USA. tun@binah.cc.brandeis.edu
Wingfield
A
A
Rosen
M J
MJ
Blanchard
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005795:Generalization, Stimulus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012660:Semantics; D012718:Set, Psychology; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*