Input, Retention, and Output Factors Affecting Adult Age Differences in Visuospatial Short-Term Memory

Authors

Alan Hartley, Scripps CollegeFollow
Deborah M. Little, University of Illinois at Chicago
Nicole K. Speer '99, Scripps College
John Jonides, University of Michigan

Student Co-author

Scripps Undergraduate

Document Type

Article

Department

Psychology (Scripps)

Publication Date

2011

Disciplines

Cognitive Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Objectives. The sources of age differences in short-term memory for spatial locations were explored in 2 experiments that examined factors related to input, to maintenance, and to output.

Method. In each experiment, 4 dots were presented briefly, followed after a retention interval by a probe dot, which was judged to either match or not match one of the 4 memory-set dots.

Results and Discussion. Results showed that poorer performance by older adults could be attributed independently to reduced visual acuity, to less effective use of rehearsal strategies, and to differences in response biases.

Rights Information

© 2011 The Gerontological Society of America

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

DOI

10.1093/geronb/gbr020

Recommended Citation

Hartley, A. A., Little, D. M., Speer, N. K., & Jonides, J. (2011). Input, retention, and output factors affecting adult age differences in visuospatial short-term memory. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 66, 435-443. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbr020