Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
Individual differences in task-specific paired associates learning in older adults: the role of processing speed and
Tanja Kurtz1, Jacqueline Mogle, Martin J Sliwinski
1a Department of Developmental Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education , University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany.
Unlabelled:
BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: The role of processing speed and working memory was investigated in terms of individual differences in task-specific paired associates learning in a sample of older adults. Task-specific learning, as distinct from content-oriented item-specific learning, refers to gains in performance due to repeated practice on a learning task in which the to-be-learned material changes over trials.
Methods:
Learning trajectories were modeled within an intensive repeated-measures design based on participants obtained from an opt-in Internet-based sampling service (M(age) = 65.3, SD = 4.81). Participants completed an eight-item paired associates task daily over a 7-day period.
Results:
Results indicated that a three-parameter hyperbolic model (i.e., initial level, learning rate, and asymptotic performance) best described learning trajectory. After controlling for age-related effects, both higher working memory and higher processing speed had a positive effect on all three learning parameters.
Conclusion:
These results emphasize the role of cognitive abilities for individual differences in task-specific learning of older adults.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Working Memory
Information Processing Approach
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

