Generation, intentionality of processing at encoding and retrieval, and age-related associative deficits.
This research tested age-related differences in the retrieval of self-generated new associations under conditions that required intentional or incidental processing. Under intentional or incidental encoding conditions, young and older adults generated new associations by producing a response to a two-letter stem paired with a cue/prime word (e.g., throne-mo_). Memory for these new associations was tested under intentional or incidental retrieval conditions by pairing the word stem with the previous cue/prime word, its homophone partner, or a prime/cue not previously presented. Results indicated equivalent priming and cueing effects for both age groups in all conditions. These results suggest that generation of new associations can eliminate age-related associative deficits, even under intentional encoding and retrieval conditions that typically disadvantage older adults.
Department of Psychology, Centre College, 600 W. Walnut Street,Danville, KY 40422, USA. k.white@centre.edu
Katherine K
KK
White
Lise
L
Abrams
Amy L
AL
Byrd
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001244:Association; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014936:Word Association Tests; D055815:Young Adult