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Memory Perceptions and Memory Performance in Adulthood and Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

D.F. Hultsch ,
R.A. Dixon  and
C. Hertzog
D.F. Hultsch
Affiliation:
University of Victoria
R.A. Dixon
Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education
C. Hertzog
Affiliation:
Pennsylvania State University
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Abstract

Evidence is accumulating to suggest that peoples' perceptions of their own memories are important for understanding memory functioning in later life. This paper reviews two questionnaires designed to measure such perceptions, and identifies several research questions requiring further study. In general, memory perceptions appear to be multidimensional and involve belief and affective components as well as knowledge components. In addition, the relationship between memory perceptions and memory performance appears to differ as a function of age and type of task. Salient issues for future research include the extent to which older adults' memory perceptions show systematic state-like fluctuations over time, and the extent to which these perceptions represent an accurate picture of individuals' memory abilities.

Résumé

De plus en plus, il y a lieu de supposer que la perception que les gens ont de leur mémoire s'avère importante pour comprendre le fonctionnement de celle-ci plus tard dans la vie. Ce papier examine deux questionnaires destinés à mesurer de telles perceptions, et soulève plusieurs questions de recherche qui exigent de plus amples investigations. Généralement, les perceptions de mémoire semblent posséder plusieurs dimensions et elles impliquent des croyances, des éléments affectifs de même que des éléments de connaissance. De plus, les relations entre les perceptions de mémoire et les performance de mémoire semblent différer en fonction de l'âge et du genre de tâche. Les points saillants à considérer pour la recherche future incluent le degré auquel les perceptions que les gens âgés ont de leur mémoire démontrent des fluctuations systématiques simulant les états à travers le temps, et le degré auquel ces perceptions représentent un portrait fidèle des habiletés de mémoire d'un individu.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , December 1985 , pp. 179 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1985

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References

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