Does the capacity of working memory change with age?
Abstract
Young and elderly adults were compared for recall performance on simple digit and word spans (traditional tests of primary memory), versus a "loaded" auditory word span test designed to emphasize working memory capacity. Although digit spans were identical for the two age groups, there were small but significant age differences in word span, and even larger differences in working memory performance. An analysis of correlations between span measures and verbal ability scores supported the position that working memory loading represents a special problem for the elderly.
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The decline of working memory in aging includes a reduction of working-memory capacity, which reduces the number of information elements that can be processed, undermining comprehension and learning of complex material.
“First, due to a reduction of the working-memory capacity (Salthouse & Babcock, 1991;Wingfield, Stine, Lahar, & Aberdeen, 1988), less information elements can be processed, which undermines comprehension and learning of complex material.”
From Cognitive load theory and aging: effects of worked examples on training efficiency (2002) · cites this paper as Wingfield, Stine, Lahar, & Aberdeen, 1988
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- Authors
- Wingfield, A., Stine, E. A. L., Lahar, C. J., & Aberdeen, J. S.
- Affiliations
- Brandeis University (US)
- Venue
- Experimental Aging Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1988-06
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 103-107
- ISSN
- 0361-073X (ISSN-L)
- 1096-4657
- OpenAlex
- W2027320759
- Cited by
- 257
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 10.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Experimental Aging Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (AG 04517)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Keywords
- working memory, aging, age differences, digit span, verbal ability, older adults, recall performance
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aging, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Mental Recall, Wechsler Scales
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