Age Differences in the Focus of Retrieval: Evidence From Dual-List Free Recall

In the present experiment, we examined age differences in the focus of retrieval using a dual-list free recall paradigm. Younger and older adults studied 2 lists of unrelated words and recalled from the first list, the second list, or both lists. Older adults showed impaired use of control processes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology and aging 2015-12, Vol.30 (4), p.768-780
Main Authors: Wahlheim, Christopher N, Huff, Mark J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adults
Age Differences
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Aging - psychology
Cognitive Control
Cues
Dissociation
Female
Free Recall
Human
Humans
Impaired control
Male
Memory
Mental Recall - physiology
Models, Psychological
Older people
Recall
Reinstatement
Retrieval
Young Adult
Young adults
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Summary:In the present experiment, we examined age differences in the focus of retrieval using a dual-list free recall paradigm. Younger and older adults studied 2 lists of unrelated words and recalled from the first list, the second list, or both lists. Older adults showed impaired use of control processes to recall items correctly from a target list and prevent intrusions. This pattern reflected a deficit in recollection verified using a process dissociation procedure. We examined the consequences of an age-related deficit in control processes on the focus of retrieval using measures of temporal organization. Evidence that older adults engaged a broader focus of retrieval than younger adults was shown clearly when participants were instructed to recall from both lists. First-recalled items originated from more distant positions across lists for older adults. We interpret older adults' broader retrieval orientation as consistent with their impaired ability to elaborate cues to constrain retrieval. These findings show that age-related deficits in control processes impair context reinstatement and the subsequent focus of retrieval to target episodes.
ISSN:0882-7974
1939-1498
DOI:10.1037/pag0000049