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Age differences in lapses of intention in the Stroop task
1Rotman Research Institute of Baycrest Centre, Canada. robert@psych.utoronto.ca
Summary
Older adults experience more frequent and longer lapses of intention than younger adults. These attention lapses occur during demanding cognitive tasks and slowed responses, impacting executive function.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience of Aging
- Human Factors
Background:
- Lapses of intention (lapses) are transient failures in goal-directed behavior.
- Understanding age-related differences in lapses is crucial for cognitive health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that older adults are more susceptible to lapses than younger adults.
- To identify factors contributing to age-related differences in intention lapses.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments utilized the Stroop task to examine intrusion errors.
- Analysis focused on the frequency and duration of lapses under varying cognitive load.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited significantly more frequent lapses of intention compared to younger adults.
- Lapses were of longer duration in older adults than in younger adults.
- Lapses were associated with suboptimal controlled attentional processing and dual-task conditions.
Conclusions:
- Older adults are indeed more susceptible to lapses of intention.
- Age-related increases in lapses are linked to attentional control deficits and task demands.