Shift happens: aging alters the content but not the organization of memory for complex events.
Saved in:
| Title: | Shift happens: aging alters the content but not the organization of memory for complex events. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Fenerci, Can (AUTHOR), Davis, Emily E. (AUTHOR), Henderson, Sarah E. (AUTHOR), Campbell, Karen L. (AUTHOR), Sheldon, Signy (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Aging, Neuropsychology & Cognition. Jan2025, Vol. 32 Issue 1, p118-141. 24p. |
| Subjects: | Recollection (Psychology), Cognitive aging, Older people, Age factors in memory, Complex organizations, Episodic memory |
| Abstract: | While cognitive aging research has compared episodic memory accuracy between younger and older adults, less work has described differences in how memories are encoded and recalled. This is important for memories of real-world experiences, since there is immense variability in which details can be accessed and organized into narratives. We investigated age effects on the organization and content of memory for complex events. In two independent samples (N = 45; 60), young and older adults encoded and recalled the same short-movie. We applied a novel scoring on the recollections to quantify recall accuracy, temporal organization (temporal contiguity, forward asymmetry), and content (perceptual, conceptual). No age-effects on recall accuracy nor on metrics of temporal organization emerged. Older adults provided more conceptual and non-episodic content, whereas younger adults reported a higher proportion of event-specific information. Our results indicate that age-related differences in episodic recall reflect distinctions in what details are assembled from the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Aging, Neuropsychology & Cognition is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | While cognitive aging research has compared episodic memory accuracy between younger and older adults, less work has described differences in how memories are encoded and recalled. This is important for memories of real-world experiences, since there is immense variability in which details can be accessed and organized into narratives. We investigated age effects on the organization and content of memory for complex events. In two independent samples (N = 45; 60), young and older adults encoded and recalled the same short-movie. We applied a novel scoring on the recollections to quantify recall accuracy, temporal organization (temporal contiguity, forward asymmetry), and content (perceptual, conceptual). No age-effects on recall accuracy nor on metrics of temporal organization emerged. Older adults provided more conceptual and non-episodic content, whereas younger adults reported a higher proportion of event-specific information. Our results indicate that age-related differences in episodic recall reflect distinctions in what details are assembled from the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 13825585 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13825585.2024.2360216 |
