Effects of age on inhibitory control are affected by task-specific features
Angela de Bruin1,2, Sergio Della Sala1,3
11 Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology Department, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)
|August 5, 2017
Summary
Older adults show slower reaction times but age-related differences in inhibitory control depend on the specific task. Processing speed also influences how older adults perform on inhibition tasks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
Background:
- Previous research suggests older adults have reduced inhibitory control compared to younger adults.
- Age-related cognitive decline may be influenced by processing speed and task demands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in inhibitory control across different tasks.
- To examine the role of processing speed in modulating age effects on inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted using Simon arrow, static flanker, and motion flanker tasks.
- Reaction times and inhibition costs were measured and analyzed for older and younger adults.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited slower reaction times across all tasks.
- Age-related differences in inhibition costs were significant only for the Simon task.
- In the motion flanker task, slower older adults showed reduced inhibition costs.
Conclusions:
- Age effects on inhibitory control are task-dependent and influenced by interference type and stimuli.
- Processing speed plays a moderating role in the relationship between aging and inhibitory control performance.
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