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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Assessing age-related patterns in strategy selection on a mathematical problem-solving task.
1Gainesville State College-Oconee Campus, Watkinsville, GA 30677, USA. nlamson@gsc.edu
Summary
Older adults show more varied strategy choices than younger adults when solving multiplication problems. Some older adults learn retrieval strategies slower, while others avoid them, impacting memory performance explanations.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Development
Background:
- Age-related cognitive decline impacts strategy selection.
- Understanding strategy-choice behavior is crucial for memory performance research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in strategy-choice behavior during multiplication tasks.
- To compare strategy use and learning patterns between younger and older adults.
Main Methods:
- Participants: 27 younger and 28 older adults.
- Task: Solving two-digit by two-digit multiplication problems.
- Groups defined by criterion: 20 consecutive, correct retrieval trials.
Main Results:
- Younger and older adults meeting the criterion showed similar performance patterns.
- Older adults not meeting the criterion exhibited varied patterns: slower learning or aversion to retrieval strategies.
- Strategy-choice patterns in older adults were more diverse than in younger adults.
Conclusions:
- Older adult strategy choice is more heterogeneous than previously assumed.
- Varied strategy patterns in older adults necessitate diverse explanations for memory performance differences.
- Cognitive aging research should consider individual differences in strategy selection.
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