The effects of presentation modality, task demand, and content structure on age-related memory differences for prose

Young and old adults were tested for recall of ideas presented in a 641 word prose passage. Recall protocols were scored for the total number of idea units recalled and the proportions of idea units recalled from three levels of the content structure. Encoding conditions were varied by using auditory and written presentation. Retrieval conditions were varied by using free and cued recall. Recall for total number of idea units was significantly lower for the older participants and for auditory presentation across both age groups. Analysis of the Age x Presentation Modality x Task Demand effects at each level of the content structure yielded differential age-related sensitivity to presentation modalities and task demands at different levels of the text structure. The results were discussed within the context of divided attention and depth of processing effects on age differences in memory for prose.