Knowledge of normal versus pathological memory aging in younger and older adults

We administered the Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire (KMAQ; Cherry, West, Reese, Santa Maria, & Yassuda, in press) to a large sample of younger and older adults. The KMAQ is a 28-item true/false measure that covers a broad range of topics related to normal memory aging (due to maturational processes) and pathological memory aging (due to brain trauma or disease states). Results yielded an age effect favoring the older adults. Both age groups were more accurate on pathological than normal memory aging items. Follow-up analyses confirmed both similarities and differences in the age groups' knowledge of specific topics related to normal and pathological memory aging. Implications for research and the design of educational programs for younger and older adults are discussed.