Age Differences in Implicit Memory: Conceptual, Perceptual, or Methodological?

• DOI: 10.1037/0882-7974.18.4.807
• Publication Date: 2003-12-23T19:03:18Z
• Authors: David B. Mitchell; Peter J. Bruss
• Keywords: Implicit memory; Priming (agriculture); Memory errors; False Memory

The authors examined age differences in conceptual and perceptual implicit memory via word-fragment completion, word-stem category exemplar generation, picture-fragment identification, picture naming. Young, middle-aged, older participants (N = 60) named pictures words at study. Limited test exposure minimized explicit contamination, yielding no reliable equivalent cross-format effects. In contrast, neuropsychological measures produced significant differences. a follow-up experiment, 24 young adults were informed priori about testing. Their priming was to the main showing that trial time restrictions limit strategies. concluded most processes remain stable across adulthood suggest contamination be rigorously monitored aging studies.