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Episodic Memory and Age-Related Deficits in Inhibitory Effectiveness
Malcolm D MacLeod1, Jo Saunders2
1a Faculty of Natural Sciences , University of Stirling , Stirling , UK.
Experimental Aging Research
|January 10, 2017
Summary
Inhibitory control in episodic memory remains intact in adults under 70. Older adults over 70 may appear to have deficits due to noninhibitory factors, not a true loss of inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience of aging
- Human memory
Background:
- Age-related cognitive decline is known, but its impact on episodic memory inhibition is unclear.
- Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) measures inhibitory effectiveness, but findings in older adults are inconsistent.
- Noninhibitory mechanisms may confound the assessment of inhibition in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in inhibitory effectiveness in episodic memory.
- To determine if a loss of inhibition is specific to the very old.
- To examine the role of noninhibitory mechanisms, like output interference, in RIF findings.
Main Methods:
- Study 1 used a modified independent cue test to measure RIF across age groups (60-74 years).
- Study 2 manipulated output interference to isolate its effect on RIF in young (18-34) and older adults (61-85 years).
Main Results:
- In Study 1, adults aged 60-69 showed RIF, but those 70-74 did not.
- In Study 2, RIF was observed in all groups when output interference was high.
- When output interference was controlled, only adults under 70 showed RIF, with the oldest group (70-85) showing none.
Conclusions:
- Inhibitory functioning in episodic memory appears intact in adults up to 69 years old.
- In adults over 70, apparent inhibitory deficits may stem from noninhibitory processes like output interference.
- Careful control for noninhibitory factors is crucial for accurately assessing inhibition in aging memory.
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