Effects of bizarre and interacting imagery on learning and retrieval of the aged

The effects of bizarre and interacting imagery on the acquisition and retrieval of 20 paired associates (PA) were examined using 30 young and 27 (out of 38) elderly who successfully learned the PAs to criterion. Interaction imagery facilitated acquisition, especially for the elderly, but did not benefit retrieval. There was no evidence that bizarre imageries were superior than logical one in facilitating acquisition or retrieval. Furthermore, the elderly tended to resist using bizarre imagery, and both young and elderly subjects tended to use imagery that was more congruent with non-bizarre life experiences and events.