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Sequential and coordinative complexity in time-accuracy functions for mental arithmetic
Author(s)Paul Verhaeghen, Reinhold Kliegl, Ulrich Mayr
Journal titlePsychology and Aging, vol 12, no 4, December 1997
Pagespp 555-564
KeywordsMental speed ; Memory and Reminiscence ; Young adults [20-25] ; Age groups [elderly] ; Belgium.
AnnotationTime-accuracy functions for tasks involving single digit addition and subtraction were obtained from a Belgian sample of 18 younger (mean age 21.7 years) and 16 older adults (mean age 68.8 years). Sequential complexity was manipulated by varying the number of operations (5 vs. 10); bracketing was used for co-ordinative complexity. Age differences were apparent in the co-ordinative conditions, but not for the sequential conditions - indicating that high coordinative demands do not lead to a decline in basic speed of processing with age. The interaction between age and complexity was due to longer onset times and lower asymptotic performance by older adults in the co-ordinative conditions, but not due to rate of approach to the asymptote. This implies that co-ordinative demands do not differentially harm access from semantic memory in older adults. However, coordinative demands do have disproportionately negative consequences for computation speed and self-monitoring in older adults.
Accession NumberCPA-980224001 A
ClassmarkDG: DB: SD6: BB: 76E

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