Supporting memory for objects and locations in ageing : a subcomponent analysis of visuo-motor encoding

Abstract

The literature review examines current research indicating that memory for objects, locations and objects in their locations might be independent components, underpinned by different cognitive processes. These concepts are examined in relation to age-related and dementia-related decline. The review critically discusses the existing age-comparative literature and highlights several avenues for future research. One such avenue is how we might ameliorate decline in healthy and non-healthy older adults.  A hypothesis of how to do this based on levels of processing theory (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) is developed and exemplified in relation to visuo-motor encoding. Conclusions are drawn about the clinical applications of subcomponent research and the amelioration hypothesis.

The empirical study examines whether object, location and object-location memory do in fact differ between younger and older adults. It also investigates whether these three types of memory differ depending on whether information has been learnt through visual and motor encoding, or visual encoding alone. The results indicate that location and object-location are impaired in ageing, but that object memory remains relatively intact under some circumstances. They also suggest that visuo-motor encoding does not confer an advantage over visual encoding.  These results are discussed in terms of previous studies, motor processing in ageing, limitations of the study and avenues for future research.

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