Younger and older adults weigh multiple cues in a similar manner to generate judgments of learning

Abstract

One’s memory for past test performance (MPT) is a key piece of information individuals use when deciding how to restudy material. We used a multi-trial recognition memory task to examine adult age differences in the influence of MPT (measured by actual Trial 1 memory accuracy and subjective confidence judgments, CJs) along with Trial 1 judgments of learning (JOLs), objective and participant-estimated recognition fluencies, and Trial 2 study time on Trial 2 JOLs. We found evidence of simultaneous and independent influences of multiple objective and subjective (i.e., metacognitive) cues on Trial 2 JOLs, and these relationships were highly similar for younger and older adults. Individual differences in Trial 1 recognition accuracy and CJs on Trial 2 JOLs indicate that individuals may vary in the degree to which they rely on each MPT cue when assessing subsequent memory confidence. Aging appears to spare the ability to access multiple cues when making JOLs.

Keywords:

• judgments of learning
• memory for past test
• aging
• metacognition
• multilevel modeling

Acknowledgments

Jarrod C. Hines is now at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. We would like to extend thanks to the following personnel for their assistance with subject recruitment and data collection: Teri Boutot, Bethany Geist, Devaki Kumarhia, Colin Malone, Melissa McDonald, and Alisha Monteiro.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging, one of the National Institutes of Health [R01 AG024485].