Abstract
Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interrupts the storage or retrieval of new information. Congruent with previous reports, traditional analyses dealing with response times and error rates separately have indicated an increase in sensitivity to proactive interference in older adults. We reanalyzed the same data using diffusion decision model (DDM). Such models enable a more fine-grained interpretation concerning the latent processing mechanisms underlying performance. Now a different picture emerged. The DDM results showed that older adults needed more evidence than young adults before responding. The results also clearly indicated that peripheral processes (encoding time and motor execution), as well as recognition memory, decline with age. However, the drift rates, reflecting proactive interference, were similar, suggesting—contrary to earlier reports—that the inhibitory processes observed with this paradigm remain intact in older adults.
Highlights
Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interrupts the storage or retrieval of new information
To assess the Proactive interference (PI) effect, the critical comparison was the difference in performance between the non-recent negative and recent negative conditions
Planned comparisons showed that more errors were made in the recent negative than in the non-recent negative condition (p < .001), indicating a PI effect
Summary
Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interrupts the storage or retrieval of new information. The difference in performance between recent negative and non-recent negative probes was observed to be larger for older than for younger adults, suggesting an age-related increase in sensitivity to PI. It is possible that the increase of sensitivity to PI with age results from less efficient inhibitory processes in older than in younger adults (e.g., Jonides et al, 2000) This is consistent with the inhibitory deficit theory, arguing for a general decline across different types of inhibitory processes with age (Hasher & Zacks, 1988; Lustig et al, 2007). This difference disappeared when visual filters were applied, such that the contrast sensitivity of the targets was equal in both groups
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
