Age differences in the commonality of free associations

Experimental Aging ResearchPublished 1 June 1986

Charles T. Scialfa, Ronald B. Margolis

DOI10.1080/03610738608259443

Source URL

Citations24

SJR quartileQ1

SJR score0.58

SNIP0.71

TL;DR

It was determined that there were no age differences in the commonality or variability of associates in the organization of semantic memory, controlling statistically for education and verbal skills.

Abstract

Commonality of associative response provides an index of the organization of semantic memory. The present study investigated age differences in semantic organization by comparing commonality of associative response. Thirty young (M = 20 yrs) and 30 old (M = 72 yrs) adults gave free associations to single stimulus words of high or low linguistic frequency. Controlling statistically for education and verbal skills, it was determined that there were no age differences in the commonality or variability of associates. Results are discussed in reference to developmental trends in the organization of semantic memory.

Keywords

PsychologyNeuroscience

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