Domain- and task-specific beliefs about memory in adulthood: A microgenetic approach

Abstract

Younger and older adults were compared on domain- and task-specific measures of memory self-efficacy to determine if unique contributions of each to memory performance could be ascertained. In addition, changes in task-specific memory self-efficacy over trials as a function of increasing task experience were evaluated; if older adults' memory performance is particularly affected by memory self-efficacy, task experience may be more beneficial for them. Thirty-two older (mean age 73) and younger (mean age 23) adults participated in a series of four pretask memory self-efficacy judgments, followed by a series of four serial recall trials which were interleaved with further memory self-efficacy trials. Although older adults remembered less overall, like younger adults their memory self-efficacy improved. Individual differences in self-efficacy and educational background were important predictors of older adults' memory performance. Findings lend credence to the malleability of memory self-efficacy, its improvement with added task experience, and the beneficial effects of positive memory self-efficacy on memory performance, especially of older adults.