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Computer testing of memory across the adult life span
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate whether differential experience with and reactions to computers among adults of different ages may mediate some of the negative relationship between age and memory performance. Participants were 141 community-dwelling adults, age 18 to 87. Computer experience, computer attitudes, computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, and test anxiety were measured, as well as gender, education level, self-rated health, and number of medications taken. Participants completed three memory tests, varying in complexity, on a desk top computer. Age was negatively correlated with memory, computer experience, and computer self-efficacy. Higher age was correlated with higher computer anxiety. Age was unrelated to computer attitudes and test anxiety. The demographic variables were significant mediators of the age-working memory relationship. Computer experience, computer attitudes, and computer self-efficacy, after first controlling for demographics, each mediated the relationship between age and working memory to a significant degree. For individuals classified as low in computer anxiety or high in computer experience, the relationship between age and memory increased with task complexity. Higher computer self-efficacy was related to better memory performance, but only between the oldest and youngest age groups. Low test anxiety and positive computer attitudes were related to better performance as well. There were no gender differences in memory performance or computer anxiety. Men reported higher levels of computer experience and computer self-efficacy than women. Men reported more positive computer attitudes than women only in the oldest age group. The results lend support to a model of cognitive aging that emphasizes the role of ability-extraneous factors in accounting for some of the observed age differences in memory and cognition. In addition, the results point to the need to consider the impact that the testing situation has on test performance, and to adapt the testing situation accordingly to account for age differences in experience with and reactions to technology.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology|Cognitive therapy
Recommended Citation
Laguna, Kerrie Diane, "Computer testing of memory across the adult life span" (1997). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9805511.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9805511