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Strategic value-directed remembering in younger and older adults
Kara M Hoover1, Dillon H Murphy1, Barbara J Knowlton1
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Summary
Older adults can strategically remember valuable information, but their memory performance declines when this information is difficult to recall. Younger adults show less dependence on memorability for selective memory.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience of Aging
- Human Memory
Background:
- Controlled memory processes may differ with age.
- Strategic memory processes can influence recall.
- Value-based memory is a key area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in value-directed remembering.
- To determine if strategic value-based processes can overcome memorability.
- To examine how older adults adapt encoding strategies for valuable information.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments manipulated word memorability and value.
- Memorability was varied using word properties and presentation time.
- Value-directed remembering was assessed in younger and older adults.
Main Results:
- Older adults' selective memory was preserved for high-value, easy-to-remember words.
- Older adults' selective memory was impaired for high-value, difficult-to-remember words.
- Younger adults' memory selectivity was less dependent on item memorability.
Conclusions:
- Older adults' strategic memory use is sensitive to information memorability.
- Encoding strategy adaptation may be challenging for older adults with difficult-to-remember valuable information.
- The effectiveness of strategic memory in older adults depends on information salience.
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