Chapter Three Aging and Schematic Influences on Memory

TLDR: This paper explored the possibility that adult age differences exist in the extent to which knowledge influences memory performance and concluded that the relation between the individual's knowledge and the nature of the memory task is more important in determining performance in older than in younger adults.

Abstract: Summary Variations in content knowledge have been shown to be related to both individual and developmental differences in memory performance. The availability of relevant knowledge appears to influence the efficiency of encoding and retrieval operations and to provide a meaningful interpretive structure for storing information in memory. The present chapter explores the possibility that adult age differences exist in the extent to which knowledge influences memory performance. One specific approach to the study of knowledge effects on memory–schema theory–is discussed and used as a framework for examining the relevant literature on memory and aging. It is concluded that the relation between the individual's knowledge and the nature of the memory task is more important in determining performance in older than in younger adults. Although uncertain at present, it appears as if the age differences may be related to both the relative efficiency of knowledge-based memory processes and age-related variations in memory styles.