Age-related changes in duration reproduction: involvement of working memory processes.
The aim of the present research was to study age-related changes in duration reproduction by differentiating the working memory processes underlying this time estimation task. We compared performances of young and elderly adults in a duration reproduction task performed in simple and concurrent task conditions. Participants were also administered working memory tests to measure storage and central executive functions. Findings indicated a differential involvement of working memory storage and central executive functions in age-related differences in temporal tasks. The limited storage capacities explained age-related changes in the simple task of duration reproduction, and the dysfunctioning of central executive functions accounted for age-related changes in duration reproduction performed in a concurrent task condition, which involves greater attentional resources.
Baudouin
Alexia
A
UMR-CNRS 6215 LMDC, Vieillissement et Mémoire, Université François-Rabelais de Tours, France. Alexia.Baudouin@etu.univ-tours.fr
Vanneste
Sandrine
S
Pouthas
Viviane
V
Isingrini
Michel
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology