Comprehension and memory of prose materials by young and old adults

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Young (.hivin.x = 27.3 yr) and 27 old (.hivin.x 67.7 yr) female volunteers [27 in each group] participated in a study of the effect of vocabulary level on memory and comprehension of prose materials. Comprehension was measured by presenting 5 multiple choice questions simultaneously with half of the prose passages. Memory was measured with the rest of the materials by presenting questions only after a passage was completed and removed from sight. Age-related differences apparently varied inversely with vocabulary levels but did not interact with type of task. No significant differences were found between age groups at the highest vocabulary level. The parallel findings for the 2 tasks suggest that inadequate comprehension represents 1 major factor underlying age-related differences in the retention of meaningful materials. A 2nd memory task, not dependent on accuracy of comprehension, indicated age-related differences at all vocabulary levels. Old adults may have deficits in the ability to maintain in store and/or retrieve meaningful materials.