The Effect of Ageing on the Relationship between Subjective and Objective Recollection after Differential Encoding Processes

Abstract

The provision of environmental support is known to have differential effects on recognition memory in younger and older adults. Age-related differences within recognition memory were explored by investigating recollection and familiarity, and looking at their relationship with associative recognition memory. Additionally, environmental support, manipulated by different encoding conditions, was investigated by looking at its effect on this relationship, by comparing recognition memory for items and their associations, in younger and older adults. These were assessed by measures of subjective conscious recollection, that utilized the “remember-know” paradigm, and an objective recollection test, in which recognition memory for associative details was assessed. The results showed that older adults displayed no impairments in recognition memory, however a deficit in their associative recognition memory was discovered. Environmental support, implemented by directing attention during encoding, enhanced memory for associative details, however no effects were found on recognition memory. The relationship between recognition memory and associative recognition memory was strengthened by provision of environmental support, with younger and older adults affected to a similar degree.