The Change Processes in Selective Attention during Adulthood. Inhibition or Processing Speed?
Isabel Introzzi1, Eliana Zamora1, Yesica Aydmune1
1Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y de la Universidad del Mar de Plata (Argentina).
The Spanish Journal of Psychology
|October 16, 2020
Summary
Selective attention declines after age 60, primarily due to reduced processing speed and inhibitory control. This study clarifies age-related changes in cognitive functions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Development
Background:
- Selective attention is crucial for daily tasks but declines with age.
- The cognitive mechanisms behind this decline, specifically inhibitory inefficiency and processing speed, are debated.
- Understanding these factors is key to addressing age-related cognitive changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of processing speed and inhibitory control to age-related decline in selective attention.
- To analyze these cognitive contributions in adults aged 20 to 80 years.
Main Methods:
- Assessed selective attention and inhibitory control using a visual search task.
- Measured processing speed via a response speed task.
- Included a cohort of adults aged 20-80 years.
Main Results:
- A gradual decrease in selective attention was observed starting around age 60.
- This decline was significantly explained by reduced processing speed and inhibitory control.
- Both factors showed a notable impact on selective attention performance in older adults.
Conclusions:
- Age-related decline in selective attention is linked to diminished processing speed and inhibitory control.
- These findings support the interplay between processing speed and inhibitory inefficiency in cognitive aging.
- The study provides empirical evidence for the factors influencing selective attention changes across the adult lifespan.
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