Aging, memory and visual search.
Potential age-related differences in the memory processes that underlie visual search are examined in the present study. Using a dynamic, gaze-contingent search paradigm developed to assess memory for previously examined distractors, older adults demonstrated no memory deficit. Surprisingly, older adults made fewer refixations compared to their younger counterparts, indicating better memory for previously inspected objects. This improved memory was not the result of a speed-accuracy trade-off or larger Inhibition-of-Return effects for older than for younger adults. Additional analyses suggested that older adults may derive their benefit from finer spatial encoding of search items. These findings suggest that some of the memory processes that support visual search are relatively age invariant.
Kramer
Arthur F
AF
Beckman Institute and the Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. akramer@s.psych.uiuc.edu
Boot
Walter R
WR
McCarley
Jason S
JS
Peterson
Matthew S
MS
Colcombe
Angela
A
Scialfa
Charles T
CT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009949:Orientation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D012438:Saccades