Aging and Working Memory Effects with Backward Recall

Abstract

There are four basic Working Memory (WM) effects: word length, irrelevant speech, phonological similarity, and articulatory suppression. These effects are robust with younger and older adults with forward recall (Bireta et al., 2013). Most theories of immediate memory predict that these effects would occur with backward recall as well. However, all four effects are reduced or eliminated amongst younger adults with backward recall (Bireta et al., 2010). The current study examined whether these WM effects would be eliminated amongst older adults with backward recall. Across four experiments examining these four effects, the results were consistent with Bireta et al. in that both younger and older adults showed reduced or eliminated WM effects with backward recall. These data provide further evidence that backward recall relies upon different retrieval strategies than forward recall and these strategies are consistent with age.