Text comprehension products and processes in young, young-old, and old-old adults. 2009

Debra McGinnis
Department of Psychology, Oakland University, 2200 North Squirrel Road, Rochester, MI 48309, USA. mcginnis@oakland.edu

Aging may be associated with an increase in generalized text processing, particularly in adults older than 75 years. The current study examined text comprehension in young, young-old, and old-old adults. Experiment 1 included a comprehension measure (product) and Experiment 2 examined inferences generated during reading (process). Comprehension scores were lowest in old-old adults. Generalized and elaborative inference scores were highest in old-old adults. Participants over 65 years with the lowest scores on cognitive integrity variables also had significantly lower comprehension scores, but there was no effect of cognitive integrity on inference scores. This dissociation suggests that inferential processes may be maintained even when cognitive integrity and comprehension declines are present. Relevance to cognitive aging theories addressing text processing and self-regulatory processes is addressed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008609 Mental Status Schedule Standardized clinical interview used to assess current psychopathology by scaling patient responses to the questions.
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011594 Psychometrics Assessment of psychological variables by the application of mathematical procedures. Psychometric
D011932 Reading Acquiring information from text.
D002755 Choice Behavior The act of making a selection among two or more alternatives, usually after a period of deliberation. Approach Behavior,Approach Behaviors,Behavior, Approach,Behavior, Choice,Behaviors, Approach,Behaviors, Choice,Choice Behaviors
D005260 Female Females
D005793 Generalization, Psychological The phenomenon of an organism's responding to all situations similar to one in which it has been conditioned. Generalization (Psychology),Generalization, Psychology,Generalizations (Psychology),Generalizations, Psychological,Generalizations, Psychology,Psychological Generalization,Psychological Generalizations,Psychology Generalization,Psychology Generalizations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths

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