Automatic versus intentional uses of memory: Aging, attention, and control.

In 2 experiments, the authors used a process dissociation procedure by L. L. Jacoby (see record 1992-07943-001) to separately examine the effects of aging on automatic and consciously controlled memory processes. In Exp 1, a group of young adults in either a full-attention or divided-attention condition were compared with a group of elderly adults on a fame judgment task. Both age and divided attention had a detrimental effect on consciously controlled memory processing but left automatic processing intact. In Exp 2, the same age-related pattern was found using a more demanding forced-choice recognition paradigm. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)