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Implicit memory, age, and time of day: paradoxical priming effects
Cynthia P May1, Lynn Hasher, Natalie Foong
1Department of Psychology, College of Charleston, 66 George St., Charleston, SC 29424, USA. mayc@cofc.edu
Psychological Science
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Explicit memory recall is best at your personal peak time of day. However, implicit memory performs better during non-peak circadian arousal times, suggesting different timing for memory systems.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Memory retrieval operates via deliberate (explicit) and unintentional (implicit) routes.
- Circadian arousal and time of day significantly influence cognitive functions, including memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how circadian arousal and time of day affect explicit and implicit memory retrieval.
- To determine if these two memory systems operate on different circadian schedules.
Main Methods:
- Tested evening-type younger adults and morning-type older adults at peak and off-peak times.
- Assessed performance using implicit and explicit stem completion and implicit category generation tasks.
Main Results:
- Explicit memory recall was superior at each group's respective peak time of day.
- Implicit memory performance was significantly better at off-peak times compared to peak times.
Conclusions:
- Explicit and implicit memory retrieval processes may be regulated by distinct circadian schedules.
- Individual differences in circadian arousal are crucial for understanding memory system efficacy.
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