Improving memory in older adults: Training recollection

We explore a novel theory-guided approach for training memory in older adults that distinguishes between recollection and automatic influences. Participants were given multiple trials of a continuous recognition task in which they had to use recollection to identify repeated items. After each correct trial, the number of intervening items between repetitions was gradually increased (incremented-difficulty approach). Initially, accurate identification only occurred with two intervening items, which increased to 28 items following 6 hours of training. A second group of participants was given an equal amount of practice with the task but the number of intervening items was varied randomly across trials, independent of accuracy. These, individuals showed significantly smaller gains in recollection. Results suggest that an incremented-difficulty approach can enhance the ability to recollect information across increasing delay intervals. Implications for future training efforts are discussed.