Cited by 114Memory Processes and InfluencesCognitive Abilities and TestingCognitive Functions and Memory

Contributions of Processing Ability and Knowledge to Verbal Memory Tasks across the Adult Life-Span

Hedden, Trey, Lautenschlager, Gary, Park, Denise C.·2005·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships of processing capacity and knowledge to memory measures that varied in retrieval difficulty and reliance on verbal knowledge in an adult life-span sample ( N = 341). It was hypothesized that processing ability (speed and working memory) would have the strongest relationship to tasks requiring active retrieval and that knowledge (vocabulary ability) would be related to verbal fluency and cued recall, as participants relied upon verbal knowledge to retrieve category items (fluency) or develop associations (cued recall). Measurement and structural equation models were developed for the entire sample and separately for younger (aged 20–54 years, n = 168) and older (aged 55–92 years, n = 173) subgroups. In accordance with the hypotheses, processing ability was found to be most highly related to free recall, with additional significant relationships to cued recall, verbal fluency, and recognition. Knowledge was found to be significantly related only to verbal fluency and to cued recall. Moreover, knowledge was more important for older than for younger adults in mediating variance in cued recall, suggesting that older adults may use age-related increases in knowledge to partially compensate for processing declines when environmental support is available in memory tasks.

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Crossref · 10.1080/02724980443000179

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Authors
Hedden, T., Lautenschlager, G., & Park, D. C.
Affiliations
  • Stanford University (US)
  • University of Georgia (US)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
Corresponding author
Hedden, Trey
Venue
The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A
Published
2005-01
Volume
58
Issue
1
Pages
169-190
ISSN
  • 0272-4987 (ISSN-L)
  • 1464-0740
OpenAlex
W2137607816
Cited by
114
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 12
FWCI
1.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (R01AG006265, R01-AG06265)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
verbal memory, processing capacity, verbal knowledge, vocabulary, working memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, cued recall, free recall, recognition memory, lifespan development, aging, older adults, retrieval difficulty
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cues, Female, Humans, Male, Memory Disorders, Middle Aged, Reaction Time, Verbal Behavior, Vocabulary

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