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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Ageing on Sentence Processing
Published on: October 25, 2019
Humor processing, mentalizing, and executive function in normal aging
Jennifer Uekermann1, Shelley Channon, Irene Daum
1Department of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, GAFO 05/607, Ruhr-University of Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany. Jennifer.Uekermann@ruhr-uni.bochum.de
Abstract:
Recent investigations have emphasized the importance of the prefrontal cortex for humor processing. Although the prefrontal cortex is thought to be affected by normal aging, relatively little work has been carried out to investigate the effects of aging on humor processing. In the present investigation participants in three age groups were assessed on a humor comprehension task. They then answered mentalistic and nonmentalistic questions. Executive tasks were also administered. The older group selected significantly fewer correct punchlines from alternatives than the other groups. They were also poorer at answering mentalistic questions, but did not differ significantly for nonmentalistic questions. The findings of the present investigation showed altered in humor processing in normal aging, and this appeared to be related to mentalizing ability.
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