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Using learning flexibly and remembering after a delay: understanding cognitive dysfunction in adults with Down syndrome
Author(s) -
Roberts L.,
Richmond J. L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12492
Subject(s) - psychology , cognition , task (project management) , encoding (memory) , inference , down syndrome , mental age , cognitive psychology , intervention (counseling) , developmental psychology , episodic memory , psychiatry , artificial intelligence , management , computer science , economics
Background Episodic memory deficits are a characteristic of cognitive dysfunction in people with Down syndrome (DS). However, less is known about the processes (i.e. encoding, retention or using learned information flexibly) that underlie these deficits. Method We explored these abilities by administering a relational memory and inference task to participants with DS and mental age‐matched controls and testing both immediately and after a 24‐h delay. Results Adults with DS learned paired associates more slowly than controls but showed good recognition at both the immediate and delayed tests. Despite memory for learned pairs, adults with DS were less able to use relational learning flexibly to make inferential judgements than controls. Conclusions These results deepen our understanding of the cognitive profile of adults with DS, demonstrating deficits in both encoding new information, and flexibly using such information. These results have important implications for workplace training and intervention programs for people with DS.