Aging and Interference With Memory

Input and output interference in both short-term and long-term memory were measured in three age groups (aged 20-39, 40-59, 60-80 years). A paired-associate probe technique was used, which, by factorially combining the positions of the pairs at presentation and recall, allowed an examination of output interference for all positions in the input list. No differential output interference or input interference due to age was found for items assumed to be recalled from long-term memory. Evidence, however, did indicate that adult aging primarily affects long-term memory, since no differences between groups were found for items assumed to be recalled from short-term memory.