title: Visual attention and aging.
abstract: The present review of visual attentional processes and aging focuses on definitions of attention that emphasize some aspect of the control of information processing (selective attention) or the processing resources needed to drive these control processes (attentional capacity). Emphasis is placed on how increased adult age affects attentional mechanisms and how these age differences in attention affect overall information processing. Past research has emphasized that selective attention appears to be resistant to age-related decline. Age-related deficits in attentional capacity or processing resources, however, have been found. A review of more recent psychological research demonstrates the extension of the investigation of attention with emphasis on further defining what is selected in selective attention, and on reexamining the processing resources or capacity issue. Finally, developments in cognitive neuroscience are reviewed in terms of their relevance to attention and aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Euclid Avenue at East 24th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Groth
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*