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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Age-related differences in the acquisition, utilization, and extension of a spatial mental model | | Author(s) | D Kristen Gilbert, Wendy A Rogers |
| Journal title | The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, vol 54B, no 4, July 1999 |
| Pages | pp P246-255 |
| Keywords | Learning capacity ; Cognitive processes ; Memory and Reminiscence ; Performance ; Age groups [elderly] ; Young adults [20-25] ; United States of America. |
| Annotation | Mental models provide a means of organising how we perceive and interpret our surroundings. Research examining spatial ability and memory for maps and the like has revealed age-related declines. A spatial model consisting of a map with nine buildings was used to assess young and older adults in the acquisition, use and extension of a spatial mental model. In acquisition, 91% of young adults and 62% of older adults were able to acquire the mental model determined by a strict criterion. There were age differences in trials required to reach criterion. However, once acquired, the older adults were able to make use of their mental model as well as the younger adults, with the exception of questions that were taxing on working memory. Both age groups were also able to extend their mental model to 16 buildings, and then make use of this extended model. Individual differences in working memory and fluid intelligence were related to successful acquisition of the mental model. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-991220208 A |
| Classmark | DE: DA: DB: 5H: BB: SD6: 7T |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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