Mind-wandering (MW) is a universal cognitive process that is estimated to comprise [approximately] 30% of our everyday thoughts. Despite its prevalence, the functional utility of MW remains a scientific blind spot. The present study sought to investigate whether MW serves a functional role in cognition. Specifically, we investigated whether MW…

This study aimed to compare cognitive and memory abilities between older adults with and without autism over the age of 50. Twenty-eight individuals with autism and 29 typically developing (TD) older adults took part in the current study. Participants' cognitive and memory abilities were assessed by WAIS-IV and WMS-IV. Older autistic adults were…

Efficient memory is one of the necessary cognitive potentials required for virtually every form of lifelong learning. In this contribution we first briefly review and summarize state of the art of knowledge on memory and related cognitive functions in normal aging. Then we critically discuss a relatively short inventory of clinical, psychometric,…

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may present with subtle declines in linguistic ability that go undetected by tasks not challenging enough to tax a relatively intact cognitive-linguistic system. This study was designed to replicate and extend a previous study of cognitive-linguistic ability in MCI using a complex discourse…

Administered Russell's (1975) variant of the Wechsler Memory Scale to elderly individuals (N=175) to determine if memory deteriorates with age even when chronic medical problems are not present. Results demonstrated that memory progressively declined after age 65 in a population without medical problems and with above-average education and income.…

Examined which memory dimensions deteriorate with increasing age and examines the construct validity of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) (N=1,264 males and 1,141 females at six age intervals). Visual-spatial memory tasks, remembering stories, and learning pairs of associated words proved more difficult with advanced age. (JAC)

Reliabilities for immediate recall of females, aged 71-93 years, on subtests were adequate; those for delayed recall were less adequate; and those for percentage-retained scores were unacceptable. Recommended the development of an alternative form of Russell's revised Wechsler Memory Scale. (Author/BEF)

The literature reveals a marked decline in performance on the Visual Reproduction subtest with increasing age. Both level of education and intelligence seemed to exert a substantial influence on performance which may be significant in clinical evaluations. (Author)

Performed a factor analysis on the results of the Wechsler Memory Scale for 99 older males to determine how normally aging older adults perform. Results seem to indicate that the manner of functioning in later life becomes deficient in quality rather than in quantitative performance. (Author)