6533b7dcfe1ef96bd1271700
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Adult age differences in inhibitory processes and their predictive validity for fluid intelligence.
Werner W. WittmannHeinz-martin SüßNicolas SanderMichael Witthöftsubject
Predictive validityAdultMaleAgingPsychometricsIntelligenceRepetition primingExperimental and Cognitive PsychologyTest validitybehavioral disciplines and activitiesDevelopmental psychologyYoung AdultCognitionReaction TimeHumansAgedAged 80 and overPsychological TestsWorking memoryWechsler Adult Intelligence ScaleCognitionPsychiatry and Mental healthNeuropsychology and Physiological PsychologyMemory Short-TermNegative primingFemaleGeriatrics and GerontologyPsychologypsychological phenomena and processesdescription
According to the inhibition-deficit hypothesis age differences in working memory capacity and fluid intelligence have been attributed to a decline in inhibitory efficiency. Conceptualizing inhibition as multifaceted, 88 participants (49 younger and 39 elderly) completed two versions of the negative priming paradigm (identification and localization), and two variants of the directed forgetting paradigm (listwise and itemwise). Two tasks of the Wechsler Intelligence Test with high loadings on general fluid intelligence (Gf) served as validation criteria. Results revealed task-specific and speed-independent inhibitory deficits in the elderly (lower negative priming in both paradigms; more intrusions in the directed forgetting tasks), as well as higher levels of repetition priming. Significant correlations between measures of inhibition and the Wechsler scores were found in both age groups. Results support the view of multiple inhibitory-like capabilities that play a central role in the decline of higher-order cognitive functions in old age.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-10-30 | Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition |