Is the dissociability of working memory systems for name identity, visual-object identity, and spatial location maintained in old age?
The dissociability of working memory for name identity (verbal information), visual objects, and spatial location was explored in 3 experiments. Consistent with previous results, the 3 working memory systems were dissociable in younger adults. Both younger and older adults showed involvement of name identity in an object identity task, and older adults showed this involvement in a spatial memory task. Results were interpreted as showing that the systems are generally separable but that involvement of 1 with another is possible and more likely in older adults. A 4th, correlational study showed that there is generalized decline in working memory systems in old age, with the age differences in memory mediated to a moderate extent by age-related differences in speed of processing. It was speculated that the specific, possibly strategic changes are independent of and take place against a backdrop of generalized loss of nervous system integrity.
Hartley
A A
AA
Department of Psychology, Scripps College, Claremont, California 91711, USA. alan_hartley@scrippscol.edu
Speer
N K
NK
Jonides
J
J
Reuter-Lorenz
P A
PA
Smith
E E
EE
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*