Age Differences in Output-Monitoring Accuracy

ABSTRACT

Output monitoring refers to memory for whether an intended action has been completed. Failures in output monitoring can lead to action repetitions or action omissions. Output monitoring is difficult for both younger and older adults, but few studies have examined age differences in output monitoring. Two experiments using a picture-based prospective memory task with an output-monitoring component were conducted to investigate the role of increased contextual detail and pre-exposure on output-monitoring accuracy in younger and older adults. Across the two experimental manipulations older adults demonstrated less accurate output monitoring by primarily committing errors of repetition. Pre-exposure to targets resulted in worse output-monitoring accuracy for both younger and older adults.