Memory processes and aging: a defect of automatic rather than controlled processes?

The effect of age (20-86) and/or cultural level is investigated from the point of view of Cognitive Psychology. The study was carried out with 75 subjects distributed into 5 age-ranges and 3 cultural levels. It involved the following memory tests: forced choice recognition of faces (Warrington, 1984) and of abstract paintings; Rey Figure; immediate free recall; final free recall; learning and retention of paired associates; learning with AB-AC-AB design to test for interference; Selective Reminding test of Buschke (1973); repeated free recall. Data where analysed, taking into account dozens of variables. As far as age is concerned, all the analyses converge toward the same conclusion: short-term memory is not significantly affected by age, while a clear distinction appears between two kinds of secondary memory. Secondary memory involved in the course of learning or in the retention of learning is unaffected by age. By contrast, secondary memory involved in the retention of an initial or single confrontation with test material is very much affected by age. Age might, therefore, differentially affect two kinds of secondary memory. It is suggested that, contrary to the view of certain authors, age mainly affects automatic secondary memory, whereas voluntary, conscious, controlled and effortful secondary memory, which could require a greater amount of 'mental energy' or attentional resource, is relatively well preserved with age.