ERIC Number: EJ965427
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Jun
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0010-0277
EISSN: N/A
Incidental Sequence Learning across the Lifespan
Weiermann, Brigitte; Meier, Beat
Cognition, v123 n3 p380-391 Jun 2012
The purpose of the present study was to investigate incidental sequence learning across the lifespan. We tested 50 children (aged 7-16), 50 young adults (aged 20-30), and 50 older adults (aged >65) with a sequence learning paradigm that involved both a task and a response sequence. After several blocks of practice, all age groups slowed down when the training sequences were removed, providing indirect evidence for sequence learning. This performance slowing was comparable between groups, indicating no age-related differences. However, when explicit sequence knowledge was considered, age effects were found. For both children and older adults with no or only little explicit knowledge, incidental sequence learning was largely reduced and statistically not significant. In contrast, young adults showed sequence learning irrespective of the amount of explicit knowledge. These results indicate that different learning processes are involved in incidental sequence learning depending on age. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Evidence, Older Adults, Young Adults, Learning Processes, Investigations, Children, Models, Task Analysis, Feedback (Response), Age, Age Differences, Sequential Learning, Tests, Evaluation Methods, Adult Education, Cognitive Processes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A