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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

A Real-world What-Where-When Memory Test

A Real-world What-Where-When Memory Test

Published on: May 16, 2017

Retrospective cues based on object features improve visual working memory performance in older adults.

Amanda L Gilchrist¹, Audrey Duarte², Paul Verhaeghen²

¹a Department of Psychology , Cottey College , Nevada , MO , USA.

Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition

|July 26, 2015

Summary

Older adults can use feature-based cues to improve working memory, similar to younger adults. Task-relevant cues help older adults focus attention and reduce memory load.

Keywords:

Aging attention object features retrospective cueing visual working memory

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Published on: February 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Human Development

Background:

Previous research indicates younger adults utilize retrospective cues to direct attention in working memory.
Working memory capacity and attentional control often decline with age, impacting memory performance.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if older adults can leverage feature-based retrospective cues to enhance working memory performance.
To compare the effectiveness of shape versus color cues in older adults' working memory.

Main Methods:

Participants (younger and older adults) viewed visual arrays of colored shapes.
During memory maintenance, participants received either a feature-based (shape or color) or neutral cue.
Memory performance was assessed based on accuracy and response to probed items.

Main Results:

Both age groups showed improved memory performance with informative feature-based cues compared to neutral cues.
Older adults exhibited overall lower accuracy but still benefited from cueing.
Differences in cue effectiveness were observed between shape and color cues, influencing post-cue memory load.

Conclusions:

Older adults can employ top-down attention to filter irrelevant information in visual working memory using feature-based cues.
The findings suggest that targeted, feature-specific cues can support attentional mechanisms in older adults' working memory.
Age-related differences in cue effectiveness highlight the nuanced ways older adults interact with memory-guiding information.