Skip to main content

A Study of Memory in Aged People

  • Chapter
Memory and Transfer of Information

Abstract

Memory performances were studied in a group of 22 old (65–74 years) and 29 very old (75–91 years) women, and compaired with performances of a group of 31 middle-aged (35–49 years) women, matched for socio-economic and cultural level. The intellectual level did not differ significantly as estimated by the Terman Vocabulary test, but in Raven’s Coloured Matrices there was a considerable decline with age. Digit span forwards and still more backwards was reduced with age.

To study memory performances, a test comprising three subtests, 30 figures, 30 word pairs and 30 personal data were used. Remembering was studied both immediately after presentation of the material (immediate memory score) and three hours later (delayed memory score), the difference between the two being forgetting scores. A considerable decline of immediate and delayed memory scores with age was found, but forgetting measures did not increase. The regression lines between immediate and delayed scores were also quite similar. The findings indicate a pronounced decline of registration with age but do not show any decline of retention, such a decline of course not being disproved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Literature

  • Barbizet, J.: Defect of memorizing of hippocampo-mamillary origin: a review. J. Neurol, neurosurg. psychiat. 26, 127–135 (1963)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbizet, J., and E. Cany: A psychometric study of various memory deficits associated with cerebral lesions. In: The Pathology of Memory (G. Talland and N. Waugh, eds.), pp. 49–64, Academic Press Inc., New York (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Canestrari, R.: Age changes in acquisition. In: Human Aging and Behavior (G. Talland, ed.), pp. 169–188, Academic Press Inc., New York (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronholm, B.: L’application des méthodes psychologiques dans 1’analyse des troubles de la memoire. Rev. psychol. appl. 13, 171–188 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronholm, B.: Post-ECT amnesias. In: The Pathology of Memory (G. Talland and N. Waugh, eds.), pp. 81–89, Academic Press Inc., New York (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronholm, B., and L. Molander: Memory disturbances after electroconvulsive therapy. 1. Conditions 6 hours after electroshock treatment. Acta psychiat. scand. 32, 280–306 (1957).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronholm, B., and J.-O. Ottosson: Memory functions in endogenous depression before and after electrocon-vulsive therapy. Arch. gen. psychiat. 5, 193–199 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronholm, B., and J.-O. Ottosson: Reliability and validity of a memory test battery. Acta psychiat. scand. 39, 218–234 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronholm, B., J.-O. Ottosson, and D. Schalling: The memory variables learning and retention in relation to intelligence and age in adults. Acta psychiat. scand. Suppl. 219: Studies Dedicated to Erik Essen-Möller, pp. 50–58, Vol. 46 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’elia, G. (ed.): Unilateral electroconvulsive therapy. Acta psychiat. scand. Suppl. 215 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisdorfer, C.: Arousal and performance: Experiments in verbal learning and a tentative theory. In: Human Aging and Behavior (G. Talland, ed.), pp. 189–216, Academic Press Inc., New York (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulicka, I., and R. Weiss: Age differences in retention as a function of learning. J. Consult. Psychol. 29, 125–129 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mcnulty, J. A., and W. K. Caird: Memory loss with age: An unsolved problem. Psychol. Rep. 20, 283–288 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ottosson, J. O. (ed.): Experimental studies of the mode of action of electroconvulsive therapy. Acta psychiat. scand. Suppl. 145, 103–131, Vol. 35 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schonfield, D., and B. A. Robertson: Memory and storage and aging. Canad. J. Psychol. 20, 228–236 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talland, G.: Deranged memory. Academic Press Inc., New York (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Talland, G.: Age and the immediate memory span. The Gerontologist 7, 4–9 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wimer, R. E.: A supplementary report on age differences in retention over a twenty-four hour period. J. Geront. 15, 417–418 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wimer, R. E., and B.-T. Wigdor: Age differences in retention of learning. J. Geront. 13, 291–295 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1973 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cronholm, B., Schalling, D. (1973). A Study of Memory in Aged People. In: Zippel, H.P. (eds) Memory and Transfer of Information. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2052-4_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2052-4_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-2054-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-2052-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics