Cognitive mediators of age-related differences in language comprehension and verbal memory performance

[en] The present study tried to specify how much processing speed, working memory capacity, and inhibition capability contribute to the effects of aging on language performance. An individual-differences approach was used to examine the component processes that predict performance in language comprehension and verbal long-term memory tasks. A total of 151 participants aged 31-80 completed language processing tasks and a battery of tasks designed to assess processing speed, working memory, and resistance to interference. Latent-construct structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of these factors and age to different types of language tasks. The best fit model showed first that all the significant relationships between age and language performance are mediated through reductions in speed, resistance to interference, and working memory; this confirms the validity of the general factor approach of age-related differences in cognitive performance. The best fit model, however, also showed that the contribution of speed and resistance to interference is indirect and mediated by working memory, which appears to play a crucial role in explaining age-related differences in language performance.

Disciplines :

Neurosciences & behavior

Author, co-author :

Van der Linden, Martial ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Département de Psychologie

Hupet, Michel; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, Dept. of Experimental Psychology, University of Louvain, Place du Cardinal Mercier, 10, B-1348-Louvain La Neuve, Belgium

Feyereisen, Pierre; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Schelstraete, Marie-Anne; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Bestgen, Yves; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Bruyer, Raymond; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Lories, Guy; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

El Ahmadi, Abdessadek; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Seron, Xavier; Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Language :

English

Title :

Cognitive mediators of age-related differences in language comprehension and verbal memory performance

Publication date :

1999

Journal title :

Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition

ISSN :

1382-5585

eISSN :

1744-4128

Publisher :

Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

32-55

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 16 December 2019

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Scopus citations^®

128

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114

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146

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