Age differences in context-cue forgetting

Episodic or context dependent memory is often studied as a function of the context cues in immediate retrieval of target information. Little research has been done on how the relationship of context cues to target retrieval changes over time, and none with older adult subjects. The current research investigated how the influence of context on accuracy of memory changes over time, and age-related differences in those influences. Using immediate, 2- and 7-day retention intervals, our results indicate that, while context initially supports the retrieval of information, assistance is temporary and fades before the memory for the target information. These changes in context effects were not different for younger and older adult groups.