Category learning in older adulthood: A study of the Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins (1961) tasks.

Authors

Rahel Rabi, Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario
John Paul Minda, Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2016

Journal

Psychology and aging

Volume

31

Issue

2

First Page

185

Last Page

197

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1037/pag0000071

Abstract

Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins (1961) examined the categorization abilities of younger adults using tasks involving single-dimensional rule learning, disjunctive rule learning, and family resemblance learning. The current study examined category learning in older adults using this well-known category set. Older adults, like younger adults, found category tasks with a single relevant dimension the easiest to learn. In contrast to younger adults, older adults found complex disjunctive rule-based categories harder to learn than family resemblance based categories. Disjunctive rule-based category learning appeared to be the most difficult for older adults to learn because this category set placed the heaviest demands on working memory, which is known to be a cognitive function that declines with normal aging. The authors discuss why complex rule-based category learning is considered more difficult for older adults to learn relative to younger adults, drawing parallels to developmental research.