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Abstract:
Abstract: Prospective memory, or memory for intentions, is a
relatively poorly understood cognitive process. Some studies have
demonstrated superior performance of younger subjects, while others
have reported superior performance of older subjects. Most studies
have not manipulated variables that may affect performance. A new
standardized measure allows for the evaluation of different
retrieval modes, encoding strategies, and delay periods. We
administered this test to three age groups: Group One -- ages 20-40
(N=52), Group Two--ages 41-60 (N=50) and Group Three--ages 61-80
(N=36). Overall, Groups One and Two were not significantly
different in performance (mean group one=43.58, sd=4.24; mean group
two=40.71, sd=5.22), however, performed significantly better than
Group Three (mean=30.31, sd=8.54). There was a significant
interaction such that Group One did not show a significant
difference between time delays, whereas the other two groups showed
a significant superiority for shorter time delays. Groups One and
Two did not demonstrate a significant difference between types of
cues whereas Group Three was significantly impaired for internal
time cues versus external associative cues. No group showed
significant differences between items where the response required
was an action versus verbal. In terms of errors, Groups One and Two
exhibited predominantly errors of substituted items from earlier in
the test, and Group Three showed predominantly errors of no recall
of what task was to be performed (loss of content).
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