What are the age differences in visual sensory memory?

The present investigation examined age differences in visual persistence using a direct measurement technique of Haber and Standing (1969). Young and old adult subjects were compared as to the apparent continuity of a circle when it was alternated cyclically with a second blank interstimulus field of variable duration. Contrary to a previous study, old subjects demonstrated significantly greater levels of persistence. Contrast relationship of the target stimulus and its background did not interact with age. Although the data were consistent with a hypothesis of increased persistence of stimuli in the senescent nervous system, alternatively they suggest problems in the direct measurement technique.