1 Centre for Research in Human Development, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. a_beaman@alcor.concordia.ca

Autobiographical memory specificity predicts social problem-solving ability in old and young adults.

Q J Exp Psychol (Hove). 2007 Sep;60(9):1275-88

Authors: Beaman A, Pushkar D, Etezadi S, Bye D, Conway M

Abstract

Based on recent research with young, depressed adults, age-related cognitive declines and decreased autobiographical specificity were hypothesized to predict poorer social problem-solving ability in older than in younger healthy adults. Priming autobiographical memory (ABM) was hypothesized to improve social problem-solving performance for older adults. Subsequent to cognitive tests, old and young participants' specific ABMs were tested using a cued recall task, followed by a social problem-solving task. The order of the tasks was counterbalanced to test for a priming effect. Autobiographical specificity was related to cognitive ability and predicted social problem-solving ability for both age groups. However, priming of ABM did not improve social problem-solving ability for older or younger adults. This study provides support for the hypothesis that autobiographical memory serves a directive function across the life-span.

PMID: 17676558 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]