Destination Memory for Self-Related Information: When I Tell Elvis Presley about My Favorite Food

Abstract

ABSTRACT Destination memory, the ability to remember to whom information was previously delivered, has found to be influenced by social processing and social interactions. This memory has also been shown to be compromised in normal aging. Our paper investigated whether older adults would demonstrate better destination memory for self-related information than for general information. Methods: We asked younger adults and older adults to tell self-related information (e.g., “I like Chinese food”) and semantic information (e.g., “the moon is smaller than the sun”) to pictures of celebrities (e.g., Elvis Presley). Results: Analysis showed higher destination memory for self-related information than for semantic information in older adults and younger adults. Discussion: Older adults may draw on self-related information to improve memory and social interactions.