Age-related differences in recognition memory for pictures

This study provided a normative data base for the Continuous Recognition Memory Test and also investigated age-related differences in recognition memory for pictures in a sample of 299 normal subjects (age range 10-89). Data analysis revealed that older subjects consistently set a lower response criterion (Cx), resulting in a significantly higher number of within-class false alarms. Older subjects also displayed significantly lower sensitivity (d'). Changes in sensitivity were attributed to both an increase in false alarms and a concurrent decrease in hits in subjects over 65. Analysis of the likelihood ratio (beta) revealed no significant change across age groups.