title: Cognitive Inconsistency and Practice-Related Learning in Older Adults.
abstract: The current study examined predictors of individual differences in the magnitude of practice-related improvements achieved by 87 older adults (meanage63.52 years) over 18-weeks of cognitive practice. Cognitive inconsistency in both baseline trial-to-trial reaction times and week-to-week accuracy scores was included as predictors of practice-related gains in two measures of processing speed. Conditional growth models revealed that both reaction time and accuracy level and rate-of-change in functioning were related to inconsistency, even after controlling for mean-level, but that increased inconsistency was negatively associated with accuracy versus positively associated with reaction time improvement. Cognitive inconsistency may signal dysregulation in the ability to control cognitive performance or may be indicative of adaptive attempts at functioning.
authors: Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA ; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors: Joseph M
authors: JM
authors: Dzierzewski
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Marsiske
authors: Adrienne Aiken
authors: AA
authors: Morgan
authors: Mathew P
authors: MP
authors: Buman
authors: Peter R
authors: PR
authors: Giacobbi
authors: Beverly
authors: B
authors: Roberts
authors: Christina S
authors: CS
authors: McCrae
keywords: Cognitive Inconsistency; Growth Curves; Intraindividual Variability; Older adults; Practice Learning