Modeling Age Differences in Effects of Pair Repetition and Proactive Interference Using a Single Parameter

摘要

In this paper, we apply the REM model () to age differences in associative memory. Using associative version of REM, we show that in a task with pairs repeated across two study lists, older adults’ reduced benefit of pair repetition can be produced by a general reduction in the diagnosticity of information stored in memory. This reduction can be modeled similarly well by reducing the overall distinctiveness of memory features, or by reducing the accuracy of memory encoding. We report a new experiment in which pairs are repeated across three study lists and extend the model accordingly. Finally, we extend the model to previously reported data using the same task paradigm, in which the use of a high-association strategy introduced proactive interference effects in young adults but not older adults. Reducing the diagnosticity of information in memory also reduces the proactive interference effect. Taken together, the modeling and empirical results reported here are consistent with the claim that some age differences which appear to be specific to associative information can be produced via general degradation of information stored in memory.