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Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
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Age-Related Changes in Verbal Working Memory Strategies
Johann Chevalère1, Patrick Lemaire2, Valérie Camos1
1Department of Psychology, Fribourg Center for Cognition, Université de Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Experimental Aging Research
|January 24, 2020
Summary
Older adults use more verbal working memory strategies, but slower articulation speed impacts recall. This study clarifies age-related changes in phonological and semantic system use.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
Background:
- Verbal working memory maintenance relies on phonological and semantic systems.
- Understanding the organization and interaction of these systems is crucial.
- Investigating age-related changes in these systems and their underlying mechanisms is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the organization and interaction of phonological and semantic systems in verbal working memory.
- To examine age-related changes in the involvement of these systems.
- To identify mechanisms underlying age-related changes in working memory and recall.
Main Methods:
- Examined age-related changes in strategic aspects of working memory maintenance.
- Collected trial-by-trial verbal strategy reports from young and older adults.
- Measured individuals' speed of articulation.
Main Results:
- Supported separable phonological and semantic systems used in combination for memory loads.
- Found age-related differences in strategy use (older adults used more strategies).
- Articulation speed explained age-related differences in strategy use and immediate recall.
Conclusions:
- Young and older adults utilize common and different maintenance mechanisms.
- Constraints of the phonological loop, particularly slowed articulation speed with aging, influence strategy use.
- Findings highlight the role of articulation speed in age-related working memory differences.
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