Overview- Lecture 6 1. 2. 3. 4. Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations 5. Memory Training 6. Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited Overview- Lecture 6 1. 2. 3. 4. Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations 5. Memory Training 6. Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited Types of Memory Simple Span Working memory Recall 7 numbers Computational span Episodic memory Free recall Flashbulb memory Details of distinctive event Semantic memory Semantic priming Procedural memory Riding a bicycle Implicit memory Repetition priming Source memory Word spoken or read Tip of tongue Recall familiar word Remote memory Autobiographical memory Prospective memory Events from past False Memory Personal events from past something in future Aging and Memory Age Difference? Simple span Working memory Recall 7 numbers Computational span Minimal Significant Episodic memory Free recall Significant Flashbulb memory Details of distinctive event Significant Semantic memory Semantic priming None Procedural memory Riding a bicycle None or small Implicit memory Repetition priming None or small Source memory Word spoken or read Tip of tongue Recall familiar word Significant Significant Remote memory Autobiographical memory Prospective memory Events from past Significant Personal events from past None if event important “Reminiscence bump” Significant for for timebased (self-initiated) False Memory something in future Overview- Lecture 6 1. 2. 3. 4. Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations 5. Memory Training 6. Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited The Phenomenon The Phenomenon Shown another way • Memory Performance – – – – Young Old lists (words, digits) sentences texts (read/listen) source/reality monitoring – cued recall – free recall etc. Is the age difference important? • Applied Reasons • Theoretical Reasons Overview- Lecture 6 1. 2. 3. 4. Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon in Need of Explaining Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations 5. Memory Training 6. Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited Assumptions of Information Processing 1. People are active 2. Quantitative and Qualitative aspects of performance can be examined 3. Series of hypothetical stores Information Processing Framework: Memory WORKING Visuo-spatial Scratch Pad LONG-TERM Episodic memory SENSORY STORE Central Executive Semantic memory Procedural memory Phonological Store MEMORY MEMORY If there are age differences • Is it because of a storage problem? • Is it because of a processing problem? • A combination? Investigating the Nature of Age-Differences: 1. Process-oriented approach 2. Correlational approach Overview- Lecture 6 1. 2. 3. 4. Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon in Need of Explaining Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations 5. Memory Training 6. Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited Explanations: Hypothesis 1 • Cognitive Basis Performance decline in working memory capacity (e.g., Wingfield et al., 1988) Young Old Working Memory Task COMPUTATIONAL SPAN: Complete these addition problems. 5+6=? 4+3=? 8+9=? What was the second number in each problem? Memory: Effects of Aging on Working Memory WORKING Visuo-spatial Scratch Pad Clear age-related decrements •Deficits in spatial memory Central Executive Phonological Store MEMORY •Decrease in articulation rate •Affects processing of information Explanations • Cognitive Basis Performance – age-variance can be accounted for by taking into account age differences in working memory capacity Young Old Working Memory Capacity Hypothesis • But why does capacity decrease? • Is there a more focused (fundamental) account? Explanations: Hypothesis 2 • Cognitive Basis Performance – decline in working memory capacity (e.g., Wingfield et al., 1988) – decline in processing speed (Salthouse, 1996) Young Old Explanations • Cognitive Basis Performance – age-variance can be accounted for by taking into account decline in processing speed (Salthouse, 1996) Young Old What is Speed? Psychomotor Speed = amount of time taken to: •Process a signal •Prepare a response •Execute that response Psychomotor Speed Reaction time studies: A Item called target will appear on screen Push button when target appears Psychomotor Speed Types of reaction time studies: Simple Choice Complex Target is present or not Perform one response for one stimulus Perform different response for another stimulus Multiple targets, many decisions Psychomotor Speed Reaction time increases with age: Age Reaction Time Reflects biological Aging Psychomotor Speed: Age Difference Explanations General Slowing Hypothesis •Aging causes general decline of information processing speed Age Complexity Hypothesis •Age differences increase with increasing complexity of task Information Processing: Psychomotor Speed Brinley Plot •Plot of RT of old to RT of young •Supports the General Slowing Hypothesis Sliwinski & Hall, 1998 Impact on Working Memory Operations Speed deficit hypothesis (Salthouse) Reductions in CNS capacity Limited energy for cognitive processes Decreased working memory Mechanisms • Limited Time Mechanism • Simultaneity Mechanism Speed Hypothesis • The hypothesis to beat. • Is speed the whole story? Review Attentional Resources (Salthouse) Reductions in CNS capacity Limited energy for cognitive processes Increased Reaction Time Impact on Working Memory Speed deficit hypothesis (Salthouse) Reductions in CNS capacity Limited energy for cognitive processes Decreased working memory Why else might RT increase and Working Memory decrease? Focus on Attention What is Attention? Attention= •Ability to focus or concentrate •Shift focus as needed Information Further cognitive operations Information Processing: Attention (see Text on this section) Type of Attention Positive priming Example Effects of Aging Prime decreases search Should benefit older adults time for target Negative priming Target on one trial is distractor on next Cuing Cue indicates where target will appear Memory searchTarget held in memory consistent mapping and does not change Negative Results not clear Older adults can develop automatic search Memory searchvaried mapping Target changes with distractor Divided attention Dichotic listening Significant but not when individual tasks controlled Sustained attention Watch screen for event Increase with frequency, unpredictability of target Negative Another reason RT increases Inhibitory Deficits (Hasher & Zacks) Attention requires: Limited resources for inhibition •Activation •Inhibition Increased Reaction Time Impact on Working Memory Inhibitory Deficit (Hasher & Zacks) Memory requires: Accumulation of “mental clutter” •Inhibit irrelevant information •Remove unnecessary information Working memory deficits Explanations: Hypothesis 3 • Cognitive Basis Performance – decline in working memory capacity (e.g., Wingfield et al., 1988) – decline in processing speed (Salthouse, 1996) – declining inhibitory efficiency (Hasher & Zacks, 1988) Young Old Explanations • Cognitive Basis Performance – age-variance can be accounted for by taking into account age differences in inhibition Young Old Evidence for Decline in Inhibition • Stroop Interference • Negative Priming Stroop Interference INSTRUCTIONS: Read the color of the INK red yellow green EFFECT: Response is slower when colors don’t match than when colors match the ink Negative priming INSTRUCTIONS: Identify the RED letter PRIMING TRIAL: A X CRITICAL TRIAL: A X EFFECT: Response is slower to A Explanations: Summary • Cognitive Basis Performance – age-variance can be accounted for by taking into account cognitive mediators…but not all (Kwong See & Ryan, 1995) Young Old – other mediators? Explanations: Hypothesis 4 Performance • Social Cognitive Basis – internalizing negative old age stereotypes compromises performance? Young Old – Some evidence (e.g., Levy & Langer, 1994) Overview- Lecture 6 • • • • • • Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations Memory Training Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited Memory Training • EIEIO classification • External Memory Aids • Internal Memory Aids Memory Training • Characteristics of a successful program – – – – own memory strategies self-guided practice consistency with preferred learning style cognitive restructuring • Some good applications Overview- Lecture 6 • • • • • • Types of Memory: Age Differences The Phenomenon Information Processing Framework Cognitive and Social Cognitive Explanations Memory Training Myth Busting: Facts on Aging Revisited Myth Busing: Facts on Aging Revisited • # 8 Aged drivers have fewer accidents per driver than those under age 65. »True Myth Busing: Facts on Aging Revisited • #12 Old people usually take longer to learn something new. True Myth Busing: Facts on Aging Revisited • # 14 Older people tend to react slower than younger people. True