Retrieval-induced forgetting in normal ageing

J Neuropsychol. 2008 Sep;2(2):463-76. doi: 10.1348/174866407x268533.

Abstract

The retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) paradigm was used to assess the integrity of Unintentional inhibitory functioning in normal ageing. The paradigm was adapted to explore the RIF effect under conditions that allow us to differentiate the contribution of intentional and automatic retrieval processes to performance. The results showed the presence of equivalent and significant RIF effects in young and older adults, for both the intentional and automatic retrieval performance. These results suggest that unintentional inhibitory processes are spared in normal ageing and confirm that RIF effect is independent of the kind of memory processes involved in task performance.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Mental Recall / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Vocabulary
  • Young Adult