[Aging effects on lexical access. The tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon on proper names].
BACKGROUND
The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is one of the most frequent complaints in aging, especially with reference to the proper names retrieval. Previous experimental studies focussed on comparing extreme age groups and they used strategic search paradigms that impede the processing knowledge.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze TOT frequency and resolution in the normal process of aging.


METHODS
140 participants aged from 19 to 82 performed an experiment of production of famous people' names from their definitions, and 36 participants aged from 20 to 80 performed other similar experiment from pictures. Data were analyzed using a linear general model with vocabulary level and processing speed as covariables.


RESULTS
Adults aged from 50 produced more TOTs than young adults and the TOTs' increase was higher in adults from 70 years independently of their vocabulary level. Older adults resolved fewer TOTs than young adults but phonological priming improved TOTs resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging weakens activation in the proper names retrieval process but phonological priming increases the activation and improves lexical access.
Facal-Mayo
D
D
Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Espana.
Juncos-Rabadán
O
O
Alvarez
M
M
Pereiro-Rozas
A X
AX
Díaz-Fernández
F
F
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003463:Cues; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009275:Names; D014705:Verbal Behavior