Abstract:
Working memory and episodic memory processes both decline with age. Correlational evidence suggests reduced working and age-related episodic memory difficulties are closely related. However, Bartsch, Loaiza & Oberauer (2019) recently failed to find that reduced working memory causes older adults’ EM impairment. The study used a three-alternative forced-choice recognition task to test memory for word-pairs immediately after encoding, tapping working memory processes, and then again later in the task, ultimately tapping episodic memory processes. Interestingly, probing the contents of working memory in this manner may have negatively affected subsequent episodic memory for the same word-pairs. Alternatively, testing working memory may serve as an opportunity for retrieval practice that will improve episodic memory. The current project investigates the conditions in which testing working memory will be beneficial and when it will reveal memory vulnerability and explores whether the effects of testing working memory on episodic memory depends on individual differences in working memory capacity.