title: The role of spatial abilities and age in performance in an auditory computer navigation task.
abstract: Age-related differences in spatial ability have been suggested as a mediator of age-related differences in computer-based task performance. However, the vast majority of tasks studied have primarily used a visual display (e.g., graphical user interfaces). In the current study, the relationship between spatial ability and performance in a non-visual computer-based navigation task was examined in a sample of 196 participants ranging in age from 18 to 91. Participants called into a simulated interactive voice response system and carried out a variety of transactions. They also completed measures of attention, working memory, and spatial abilities. The results showed that age-related differences in spatial ability predicted a significant amount of variance in performance in the non-visual computer task, even after controlling for other abilities. Understanding the abilities that influence performance with technology may provide insight into the source of age-related performance differences in the successful use of technology.
authors.affiliation: Clemson University Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Czaja
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharit
authors.forename: Wendy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Arthur D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fisk