The elderly and informed consent: effects of vocabulary level and corrected feedback

Eighty-seven elderly adults (57-87 years of age) divided into four WAIS vocabulary subgroups (less than 40, 40-49, 50-59, greater than or equal to 60) participated in a study of comprehension and memory of an informed consent procedure. Ss in Group I read the consent form and, with the information sheet still present, answered multiple choice questions covering the main points of information. Feedback and corrected answers were then provided. Ss in Group II read the consent form but did not receive the comprehension test or feedback. All Ss were tested for memory of the information 2-3 weeks later. Results indicated that losses in performance increased with decreasing levels of vocabulary. Losses associated with low vocabulary levels appeared to be comprehension-related and did not increase in later tests of memory. The use of corrected feedback provided a significant general improvement at all vocabulary levels but did not reduce the effects due to vocabulary levels.