Year: 2006
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Prospective memory also known as remembering to \nremember is the process of remembering to carry \nout future actions. The present study \ninvestigated age-related differences in the \nperformance of two complex prospective memory \ntasks for 30 younger adults (M = 19.43, SD = \n2.10) and 30 older adults (M = 66.87, SD = \n3.25). The two tasks had the same constraints, \nbut were framed within different contexts (i.e., \ntaking medications or scheduling \ngroups). Participants performed the tasks within \na simulated week based on activities they perform \nas part of their weekly routine, and they were \ngiven 30 minutes to develop plans to help them \nremember the tasks. Older adults were as \naccurate as younger adults in developing their \nplans for both tasks, but made significantly more \nerrors in carrying out the prospective \ntasks. Planning style was not directly \npredictive of performance for the group \ntask. However, age-related differences in \nperformance for the medication task were related \nto planning style such that age-related declines \nin performance were observed for older adults who \nused a planning style that did not provide \nadequate memory support (i.e., list layout with \ntime cues). Moreover, participants of all ages \nwith lower levels of planning experience were \nmore likely to select this ineffective planning \nstyle. These findings provide evidence that \nage-related differences in prospective memory can \nbe ameliorated through the use of a familiar task \nand the opportunity to develop plans to remember \nthe task. However, if participants develop an \nineffective plan they will show performance decrements.
Author: Aideen J. Stronge
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2268957690