ADULT AGE DIFFERENCES IN ORGANIZATION OF FREE RECALL

Presented a multitrial free-recall task to 3 age groups of men (16-19, 30-39, and 45-54 yr.) to determine if organization was a significant age-related variable in memory performance. Organization was manipulated by standard free-recall instructions (SI), nonspecific instructions to organize recalled words (OI), and instructions to organize recalled words alphabetically (AI). High-verbal-facility Ss showed no significant age-related decrement in recall performance under any instructional condition. Low-verbal-facility Ss showed a decrement in recall performance at ages 30-39 and 45-54 under the SI and OI conditions, but not under the AI condition. Results suggest an age-related deficit in the organizational processes of memory for certain types of Ss. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.