Research findings that indicate differences between older and younger adults with issues such as memory, attentional capacity, and processing speed must be interpreted carefully. Why?
A) Memory tests are biased against younger adults.
B) A test that measures memory in a younger adult will not be valid for testing an older adult.
C) Age differences are sensitive to the conditions under which they are measured.
D) Any differences observed between the two groups are due to declining vision and hearing in older adults, not due to decreases in memory or attention per se.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Age differences are sensitive to the conditions under which they are measured, meaning that performance on memory, attentional capacity, and processing speed tasks can be affected by factors such as fatigue, health status, and environmental distractions. Additionally, there is variability within each age group, meaning that not all older adults will perform worse than younger adults on these tasks. Therefore, any differences observed between the two groups must be interpreted with caution and in consideration of these factors.

Research Findings That Indicate Differences Between Older and Younger Adults