Optimal Time of Day and the Magnitude of Age Differences in Memory
Abstract
Across two studies comparing younger and older adults, age differences in optimal performance periods were identified (Study 1), and then shown to be an important determinant of memory differences (Study 2). A norming study showed that while most younger adults were Evening or Neutral types, as determined by a standard questionnaire, the vast majority of older adults were Morning types. A second study compared the recognition performance of younger and older adults tested in the morning or in the late afternoon. Substantial age differences were found in the late afternoon, when younger but not older adults were at their optimal times. However, no age differences in memory performance were found in the morning, when older but not younger adults were at their peak period. Thus, synchrony between optimal performance periods and the time at which testing is conducted may well be a critical variable in determining group differences in intellectual performance, particularly between older and younger adults.
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The experiment was systematically conducted between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm to prevent individual differences in task performance.
“To prevent individual differences in task performance, we systematically conducted the experiment between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm55–57.”
From Emotion-related impulsivity moderates the cognitive interference effect of smartphone availability on working memory (2019) · cites this paper as [56]
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- Authors
- May, C. P., Hasher, L., & Stoltzfus, E. R.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- ORCID
- May, Cynthia P.
- Venue
- Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1993-09
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 326-330
- ISSN
- 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9280
- OpenAlex
- W2151618864
- Cited by
- 293
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 0.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Keywords
- circadian rhythm, chronotype, age differences, memory, recognition memory, older adults, young adults, testing time, cognitive performance
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