Age Differences in the Strategic Allocation of Visual Attention | Zendy

Lawrence R. Gottlob | Zendy; David J. Madden | Zendy

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Age Differences in the Strategic Allocation of Visual Attention

Author(s) -

Lawrence R. Gottlob,

David J. Madden

Publication year - 1999

Publication title -

the journals of gerontology series b

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.578

H-Index - 150

eISSN - 1758-5368

pISSN - 1079-5014

DOI - 10.1093/geronb/54b.3.p165

Subject(s) - cognition , age groups , visual search , psychology , audiology , visual attention , medicine , cognitive psychology , demography , neuroscience , sociology

The allocation of visual spatial attention was investigated in two groups of adults, younger (n = 24; M = 19 yrs) and older (n = 24; M = 68 yrs). Two sequential target displays were presented on a computer screen. If a target letter appeared in Display 1, then observers were to identify a target letter in Display 2. Based on accuracy of Display 1 target detection, the older adults had a more restricted range of visual processing than the younger adults. Based on reaction times for Display 2 target identification, older adults appeared to use a spotlight (serial) scanning mechanism, whereas younger adults appeared to use an activity-distribution (parallel) mechanism. Results are consistent with age-related cognitive slowing, but also suggest a difference in strategy according to the availability of visual information.

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