Working memory and inhibitory controlacross the life span: Intrusion errorsin the Reading Span Test

摘要

The aim of this study was to examine to what extent inhibitory control and working memory capacity are re-lated across the life span. Intrusion errors committed by children and younger and older adults were investigatedin two versions of the Reading Span Test. In Experiment 1, a mixed Reading Span Test with items of various listlengths was administered. Older adults and children recalled fewer correct words and produced more intrusionsthan did young adults. Also, age-related differences were found in the type of intrusions committed. In Experi-ment 2, an adaptive Reading Span Test was administered, in which the list length of items was adapted to eachindividual's working memory capacity. Age groups differed neither on correct recall nor on the rate of intrusions,but they differed on the type of intrusions. Altogether, these findings indicate that the availability of attentionalresources influences the efficiency of inhibition across the life span.