title: Sequential performance in young and older adults: evidence of chunking and inhibition.
abstract: Two experiments were conducted to examine possible sources of age-related decline in sequential performance: age differences in sequence representation, retrieval of sequence elements, and efficiency of inhibitory processes. Healthy young and older participants learned a sequence of eight animal drawings in fixed order, then monitored for these targets within trials of mis-ordered stimuli, responding only when targets were shown in the correct order. Responses were slower for odd numbered targets, suggesting that participants spontaneously organized the sequence in two-element chunks. Perseverations (responses to previously relevant targets) served as an index of inhibitory inefficiency. Efficiency of chunk retrieval and self-inhibition were lower for older than for younger adults. Increasing environmental support in Experiment 2 through overt articulation of current chunk elements showed a pattern of results similar to Experiment 1, with particular benefit for older adults. The findings suggest an underlying susceptibility to interference in old age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development, ConcordiaUniversity, Montréal, Québec, Canada. karen.li@concordia.ca
authors.forename: Karen Z H
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mervin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Virginia S M
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult