Personality traits moderate associations between word recall and subjective memory

ABSTRACT

Cognitive gerontology research requires consideration of performance as well as perceptions of performance. While subjective memory is positively associated with memory performance, these correlations typically are modest in magnitude, leading to the need to consider whether certain people may show weaker or stronger linkages between performance and perceptions. The current study leveraged personality (NEO Big Five), memory performance (i.e., word recall), and perceptions of memory ability (i.e., metamemory in adulthood and memory decline) data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN) study (n = 774, mean age: 71.52 years). Extraversion and conscientiousness held the most consistent associations with the cognitive variables of interest, as both traits were positively associated with metamemory and word recall, but negatively associated with subjective decline. Moreover, extraversion moderated associations between word recall and both memory capacity and complaints, insofar that objective-subjective associations were weaker for those adults higher in extraversion. These findings highlight the need to understand how personality influences the sources of information employed for subjective cognitive beliefs.

KEYWORDS:

• Personality
• subjective memory
• memory decline
• moderation
• word recall

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank SPAN Study participants and staff. This research was supported by National Institute on Aging (NIA) Grants R01-AG045231 (TFO), R01 MH077840 (TFO), and R01-AG056517 (TO; RB). GNP was supported by T32-AG00030-45. PJC was supported by the VA Quality Scholars fellowship, through the VA Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowships Program. The content of this article is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the VA Quality Scholars or the Department of Veterans Affairs. SAN was supported by T32-DA007261. RB received the following additional funding support from NIH: R01 DA054750; U01 DA055367; R21 AA027827; R01 DA05486901; R01 DA061162.