Aging and delay effects on recognition of words and designs

Based on a model of inter- and intraitem processes in recognition, this study examined age differences in word recognition (emphasizing interitem elaborative rehearsal) and in design recognition (emphasizing intraitem perceptual processes) over delays of 2, 20, and 200 min. Because repeated exposures should increase intraitem integration, targets were repeated from first to second test halves. Young and old adults showed equivalent accuracy in design recognition and equivalent increases from first to second test halves; the predicted lack of intraitem age differences was supported. Young adults, however, were more accurate than old adults in word recognition, supporting the prediction of age differences in interitem processing. The decline across delays was different for words and designs but was parallel for both age groups. Young and old adults also had equivalent decision criteria and decision speeds.