Abstract

Based on the levels-of-processing model of memory, the study tested the age-related deficits in the utilization of intralist relationships. Materials consisted of the rhyme-base-associate word set, totalling 21 free recall word sets. Subjects were 120 college students and 36 elderly persons with an average age of 71. The study employed a completely randomized factorial design of 2 (age) × 2 (presentation method) × 2 (material oranizational information). Materials were presented either individually by set or wholly with the total sets. Materials were organized either systematically in the order of the rhyme-base-associate word, or randomly by changing the relative word position in each set. Through test instruction, subjects were either informed or not informed on the organizing principle of the word sets. An intentional learning model was used. Young adults recalled more base words, rhymes, and associates than the elderly subjects on immediate, delayed, and cued or uncued free recall. It implied the elderly utilized less semantic as well as non-semantic intralist relationships,. However, the age-related memory deficit was due particularly to physical or rhyme processing rat her than to semantic processing. Another reason for the age-related memory deficit seemed to be the limited breadth of processing capacity which appeared to derive from attentional rigidity. The retrieval stage also seemed to be age-related to memory differences. The whole presentation method was more effective than the individual presentation, with a more differential positive effect for elderly subjects.