Age differences in primary and secondary memory

Abstract

Fifteen high-frequency words were presented to children (ages 8–12), young adults (ages 20–32), and old adults (ages 60–79) for immediate free recall. Estimations of primary and secondary memory showed that children and old adults had lower primary memory than did young adults and that old adults had lower secondary memory than did children and young adults. Suggestions for dealing with lower primary and secondary memory are made, and future research is suggested. © 1987, The psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.