Age-related differences in spatial and temporal clustering of episodic memory

Older adults typically perform more poorly than younger adults in free recall memory tests. This age-related deficit was investigated in the present study by exploring whether the use of specific memory associations (i.e., temporal vs. spatial clustering) was influenced by age differences. Memory performance was compared between 45 younger and 45 older participants on a free recall task, where either a temporal or spatial strategy (but not both simultaneously) could be employed to retrieve distinct lists of stimuli. The results showed that whilst both groups showed a preference for temporal clustering, younger adults used greater temporal clustering compared to the older group. Our findings support the notion that whilst remaining the preferred strategy for memory performance, temporal organization in memory is affected by ageing. Future research may consider whether loss of temporal organization in older adults may be an early sign of medial-temporal and prefrontal lobe pathology and possible neurodegeneration.