by MOISDON Clémence et BERNARD-DE AMBROGGI Marine
Our study project is looking at strategies we can put in place to improve the memory of seniors. Memory is not as reliable as the authors were thinking. Even if memory errors are part of the normal functioning of memory, having false memories, often, can have negative consequences for the elderly. For example, being persuaded to turn the oven off when it is not. The purpose of our research is to study the effect of the success of a prior task on the production of false memories.
From a theoretical point of view, research has shown that the proportion of false memories increases with age. As a result, older adults produce more false memories than younger adults. To explain this phenomenon, various explanatory theories have been put forward in the literature. The most relevant is that with age, a deficit is found in monitoring processes. These processes control the source of the information. The elderly, unable to find the source of the information, would then be more prone to false memories. A second explanatory theory would be that of the fuzzy trace. This theory stipulates that the elderly would have access to the generality of their memories but could not remember the details of the latter. These details would then be reconstructed according to the context and previous experiences, which would then be unreliable and constitute a false memory. In parallel, studies have shown that the success of a cognitive task previously improved episodic memory in older adults. Indeed, the prior task would restore the confidence of the elderly in their memory and thus improve it.
The objective of our research is therefore to examine whether this prior successful task could reduce false memories in older adults. Researchers have also shown that this task allows older people to select better strategies and thus improve their performance. In addition, studies have shown that achieving a cognitive task before a memory task can decrease anxiety in the elderly. To try to explain these results, the authors evoked the idea that the prior task had an impact on the threat of stereotype. More specifically, with negative stereotypes about aging and especially memory, the elderly focus on their possible errors which interfere with their cognitive resources and diminish their recall performance. The prior task could therefore reduce these stereotypes and allow them to make optimal use of their resources for the task.
To test our hypotheses, we recruited a total of 146 participants composed of young adults (average age 73 years) and older adults (average age 22 years). These participants completed a DRM task with or without a prior successful task. A DRM task is an episodic memory task where participants study a list of words semantically related to a critical lure that is not presented during the challenge. The recall of the critical lure is a false memory. For the prior task, we used DMS 48. In order for participants to pass this task, we have simplified it. It is a visual recognition test. First, we present images to the participant, one after the other. Then, in a second step, the examiner presents two images in turn to the participant, who must choose which one was observed before. DMS 48 is originally used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, so elderly people with normal aging should do this without difficulty. Participants also completed anxiety questionnaires and measurement scales to assess their level of perception of the threat of stereotype.
The results did not show an improvement in memory performance in older adults performing the prior task. Indeed, older adults who performed a successful cognitive task prior to DRM recall as many words as older adults who did not. The results also show no significant effect on the recall of critical lure. Further studies should therefore be conducted to better understand the processes involved in this prior successful task. Indeed, we were surprised to see that in our study the memory of the elderly had not been improved. However, it should be noted that we did not use the same type of prior task as previous searches. It would therefore be interesting to use the same prior task and to have participants take a DRM test to see if it can actually reduce memory errors.
In relation to our professional perspective, we may need to use the effects of the prior successful task in elderly people undergoing neuropsychological assessment as part of a diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease for example. Instilling confidence in them with a cognitive task that they could perform brilliantly before performing tests could diminish their perception of the threat of stereotype. This would better reflect their actual performance and not the performance impacted by negative stereotypes. In addition, this study can change the learning methods and the perception we have of the elderly.
Words we have learned
- forward: en avant
- unable: être incapable de
- prone to: sujet à
- achieve: réussir
- instill: inspirer
keyword: prior task success, DRM, false memories, aging