Hemispheric Differences in Preferred Modes of Information Processing and the Aging Process

Abstract

The notion of “preferred modes of information processing” as indexed by direction of lateral eye movements during information processing, and the finding of significant declines in “fluid” as compared to “crystallized” intelligence as a function of the aging process, are related in this paper. Results suggest differential declines in information processing abilities as a function of preferred mode of information processing in older subjects. Old right movers perform significantly better than old left movers on tasks tapping both fluid and crystallized intelligence. Old left movers perform significantly more poorly on these tasks when compared to young left movers, while no differences between young and old right movers obtain. The results suggest that old persons may be more at the mercy of their preferred mode of information processing than young subjects and that those who prefer to process information in their right hemisphere are more detrimentally affected by this preference.