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Structure and development of metamemory in adulthood
Journal of Gerontology
|November 1, 1983
Summary
This study developed a metamemory instrument assessing eight dimensions. Young adults demonstrated better memory knowledge and internal locus of control than older adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Metamemory, or awareness of one's own memory, is crucial for cognitive function.
- Understanding age-related differences in metamemory can inform interventions.
- Existing instruments may not fully capture the multidimensional nature of metamemory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a comprehensive, multidimensional instrument for assessing metamemory.
- To investigate age-related differences across various metamemory dimensions.
Main Methods:
- A 120-item instrument was developed based on eight theoretically defined dimensions of metamemory.
- Content validity was established, followed by administration to three adult samples.
- Internal consistency, factorial validity, and multivariate analyses of variance were computed.
Main Results:
- The instrument demonstrated robust internal consistency and factorial validity.
- Significant age differences were found in knowledge of memory tasks, knowledge of own memory capacities, perception of memory change, and locus of control.
- Younger adults showed higher knowledge in task and capacity dimensions and greater internality in locus of control compared to older adults.
Conclusions:
- The developed instrument effectively measures multiple dimensions of metamemory.
- Metamemory knowledge and internal locus of control show significant age-related decline.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering age in metamemory research and application.