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Journal Article

Title

Aging and autobiographical memory: Dissociating episodic from semantic retrieval

Journal Name

Psychology and Aging

Abstract

Cognitive aging research documents reduced access to contextually specific episodic details in older adults, while access to semantic or other non-episodic information is preserved or facilitated. The present study extended this finding to autobiographical memory using a new measure: the Autobiographical Interview. Younger and older adults recalled events from five life periods. Protocols were scored according to a reliable system for categorizing episodic and non-episodic information. Whereas younger adults were biased towards episodic details reflecting happenings, locations, perceptions, and thoughts, older adults favored semantic details not connected to a particular time
and place. This pattern persisted after additional structured probing for contextual details. The Autobiographical Interview is a useful instrument for quantifying episodic and semantic contributions to personal remote memory.

Volume

17

Year

2002

Pages

677-689

Authors

Levine B., Svoboda E.M., Hay J.F., Winocur G. & Moscovitch M.

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