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Disruption of reference in aging.

H K Ulatowska, M M Hayashi, M P Cannito

    Brain and Language
    |May 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

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    As people age, their ability to use and understand ambiguous references in language declines. This study observed increasing language comprehension difficulties in older adults, impacting discourse.

    Area of Science:

    • Linguistics
    • Cognitive Psychology
    • Gerontology

    Background:

    • Reference is a key cohesive device in discourse.
    • Understanding age-related changes in language processing is crucial for cognitive health.
    • Previous research has explored various aspects of aging and cognition, but specific impacts on discourse cohesion require further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of aging on the use and comprehension of reference in discourse.
    • To examine how age influences linguistic variation in narrative and procedural texts.
    • To identify potential cognitive and comprehension impairments associated with age-related changes in reference.

    Main Methods:

    • A homogeneous sample of adults from a religious order was studied.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Discourse production and comprehension were assessed across different complexity levels.
  • Participants were divided into age groups: middle-aged (27-55), younger elderly (64-76), and older elderly (77-92).

    • Main Results:

    • Significant ambiguity in reference emerged in the younger elderly group compared to the middle-aged group.
    • Reference ambiguity markedly increased in the older elderly group.
    • Impairments in comprehension and cognition were observed, correlating with age and reference ambiguity.

    Conclusions:

    • Linguistic variation with advancing age includes increased ambiguity in reference.
    • Age-related decline in reference processing impacts discourse comprehension.
    • These findings highlight the communicative consequences of ambiguous reference in older adults.