Second thoughts versus second looks: an age-related deficit in reflectively refreshing just-activated information

Psychol Sci. 2002 Jan;13(1):64-7. doi: 10.1111/1467-9280.00411.

Abstract

Age-related deficits in memory are greater as encoding and retrieval tasks require more reflective (self-generated or executive) processing. One problem in developing more specific models of age-related changes in cognition is that the tasks studied tend to be complex and vary in the combinations of component cognitive processes they recruit. Here we report an age-related deficit in one of the most elementary, but critical, components of reflection: refreshing a just-activated representation. Impairment in such a process potentially has a wide-ranging impact on all higher-order cognition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Humans
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Random Allocation