Effects of aging and divided attention on memory for items and their contexts.
It is commonly found that memory for context declines disproportionately with aging, arguably due to a general age-related deficit in associative memory processes. One possible mechanism for such deficits is an age-related reduction in available processing resources. In two experiments we compared the effects of aging to the effects of division of attention in younger adults on memory for items and context. Using a technique proposed by Craik (1989), linear functions relating memory performance for items and their contexts were derived for a Young Full Attention group, a Young Divided Attention group, and an Older Adult group. Results suggested that the Old group showed an additional deficit in associative memory that was not mimicked by divided attention. It is speculated that both divided attention and aging are associated with a loss of available processing resources that may reflect inefficient frontal lobe functioning, whereas the additional age-related decrement in associative memory may reflect inefficient processing in medial-temporal regions.
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, and Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, 3560 Bathurst St.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada. fcraik@rotman-baycrest.on.ca
Fergus I M
FI
Craik
Lin
L
Luo
Yuiko
Y
Sakuta
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult