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Speeding up older adults: age-effects on error processing in speed and accuracy conditions
Tanja Endrass1, Melanie Schreiber, Norbert Kathmann
1Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. endrass@gmail.com
Biological Psychology
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Older adults exhibit slower reaction times, potentially to avoid errors. This study found that performance monitoring deficits in older adults are linked to behavioral performance issues, especially when quick responses are required.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
- Psychology
Background:
- Older adults often display normal accuracy but slower reaction times than younger adults.
- This behavioral slowing may indicate compensatory strategies and altered performance monitoring.
- Age-related differences in performance monitoring and their link to behavioral compensation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the ability to compensate for deficits influences age-related differences in performance monitoring.
- To examine how accuracy versus speed instructions affect performance monitoring in older and younger adults.
Main Methods:
- A modified flanker task was administered to younger and older adults.
- Participants completed the task under either accuracy or speed instructions.
- Behavioral data (reaction times, accuracy) and electrophysiological data (error-related negativity) were recorded.
Main Results:
- Both age groups showed reduced reaction times and error-related negativities under speed compared to accuracy conditions.
- Older adults exhibited smaller error-related negativities than younger adults, particularly in the speed condition.
- Older adults showed similar error-related and correct-related negativities, unlike younger adults.
Conclusions:
- Performance monitoring deficits in older adults are associated with impaired behavioral performance, especially under time pressure.
- Age-related alterations in performance monitoring may be exacerbated when rapid responses are required.
- Findings suggest that the ability to compensate for cognitive deficits may be compromised in older adults during demanding tasks.
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