Aging and recognition memory: methodological and interpretive problems

The recognition memory and aging literature has been reviewed with the purpose of evaluating the notion that the elderly encode semantic information in a more variable manner than the young. Because of methodological, as well as interpretive problems, only a handful of the investigations may be given serious consideration. It is recommended that future investigators report hits, false alarms, sensitivity and response-bias measures. It is also recommended that a concerted effort be made to equate age groups for response bias, that complete details of experimental procedures be reported and that appropriate statistical tests be made.