Instructing Use of an Effective Strategy Improves Recognition Memory in Healthy Adults. (12th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bender, Andrew R; Driver, Charles C; Hertzog, Christopher; Raz, Naftali
• Editors: Krendl, Anne
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 78:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 383
• Page End: 393
• Publication Date: 2022-10-12
• Subjects: Intervention -- Memory -- Metabolic risk -- Metacognition -- Strategy; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Aging -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; 305.26
• DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5014

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Age-related memory decrements correlate with metacognitive declines, including knowledge and deployment of effective mnemonic encoding strategies. However, whether imparting such strategy suffices for mitigating memory differences is unclear. Method: In a longitudinal study of 276 healthy adults aged 18–79 years, we tested associative and working memory, and assessed beliefs regarding mnemonic strategies. Testing was repeated every 2 years, 5 times. Starting with the third occasion, we instructed participants to use an effective mnemonic strategy (sentence generation). Using continuous-time dynamic modeling, we assessed changes in the item and associative recognition, intervention effects, and their relations with age, sex, meta-memory beliefs, working memory, and metabolic health. Results: Younger age, better working memory, and stronger belief in effective mnemonic strategies predicted better recognition, whereas instructional intervention attenuated associative memory deficits, with some persistence over time. Discussion: The present findings show merely imparting effective strategies holds promise for mitigating age-related associative memory deficits.