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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Ageing on Sentence Processing
Published on: October 25, 2019
The benefit of deep processing and high educational level for verbal learning in young and middle-aged adults
Willemien A Meijer1, Pascal W Van Gerven, Renate H de Groot
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Background And Aims:
The aim of the present study was to examine whether deeper processing of words during encoding in middle-aged adults leads to a smaller increase in word-learning performance and a smaller decrease in retrieval effort than in young adults. It was also assessed whether high education attenuates age-related differences in performance.
Methods:
Accuracy of recall and recognition, and reaction times of recognition, after performing incidental and intentional learning tasks were compared between 40 young (25-35) and 40 middle-aged (50-60) adults with low and high educational levels.
Results:
Age differences in recall increased with depth of processing, whereas age differences in accuracy and reaction times of recognition did not differ across levels. High education does not moderate age-related differences in performance.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest a smaller benefit of deep processing in middle age, when no retrieval cues are available.
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