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. 2011 Nov 1:2:268.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00268. eCollection 2011.

Feature integration across the lifespan: stickier stimulus-response bindings in children and older adults

Bernhard Hommel  1 , Jutta Kray, Ulman Lindenberger
Affiliations

Feature integration across the lifespan: stickier stimulus-response bindings in children and older adults

Bernhard Hommel et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Humans integrate the features of perceived events and of action plans into episodic event files. Here we investigated whether children (9-10 years), younger adults (20-31 years), and older adults (64-76 years) differ in the flexibility of managing (updating) event files. Relative to young adults, performance in children and older adults was more hampered by partial mismatches between present and previous stimulus-response relations, suggesting less efficient updating of episodic stimulus-response representations in childhood and old age. Results are discussed in relation to changes in cortical neurochemistry during maturation and senescence.

Keywords: aging; attention; development; feature binding; integration.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sequence of events. After a “blank” interval in which only a grid was visible, three left- or right-pointing arrows (R1 cue) indicated which key was to be pressed for R1. After another “blank” interval, the letter X or O appeared in the top or bottom box of the grid (S1). Shape and location of this stimulus were irrelevant; participants were simply to carry out the previously signaled response (R1) upon presentation of S1. After another “blank” interval, the letter X or O appeared in the top or bottom box of the grid (S2). The shape of this stimulus signaled R2, which was to be carried out immediately. The example shows an “alternation” of stimulus shape and location.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Reaction times and percentage of errors for R2, as a function of age group and the repetition vs. alternation of stimulus location and stimulus shape.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reaction times and percentage of errors for R2, as a function of age group and the repetition vs. alternation of stimulus shape and response (left panel) and the repetition vs. alternation of stimulus location and response (right panel).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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