CONTROL BELIEFS, MEMORY, AND AGING

描述（改编自研究者摘要）：一种通常与 记忆丧失是不可避免的，不可逆转的研究 记忆力老化一致表明，在某些方面存在与年龄相关的下降 记忆，比如对单词的情景记忆。然而，并不是所有的人 有证据表明记忆力是可以提高的。但很多 中年人和老年人认为他们对自己的生活几乎没有控制权。 记忆控制的两个方面，关于记忆能力或能力的信念 （有效性）和关于偶然性的信念（努力与 性能）进行研究。这些信念不仅显示了年龄差异， 下降，但它们始终与业绩成果有关。的目的 本研究旨在探讨记忆控制信念在认知过程中的作用， 有助于情节记忆表现的年龄差异，并考虑 什么行为和生理机制将控制信念和记忆联系起来 性能对可分类单词列表的记忆将在成年人中进行测试 年龄在21岁到80岁之间。可以预见的是，年龄的差异， 通过灌输记忆控制的积极观点， 并提供实际控制的机会。据预测 提高对记忆的控制感将导致更有效的策略 使用，更少的压力反应，更好的记忆性能，特别是对于 中年和老年人。应激反应和恢复，使用 唾液皮质醇和策略使用将被测试为介质的 控制信念与记忆的关系如果我们能 了解这种关系的性质，可能会发展更多 实施干预策略以提高记忆力。研究结果可 为减少记忆障碍和改善 老年人的日常生活。

DESCRIPTION (adapted from investigator's abstract): A view commonly associated with aging is that memory loss is inevitable and irreversible. Research on memory aging consistently shows there are age-related declines on some aspects of memory, such as episodic memory for words. Nevertheless, not all individuals show decrements, and there is evidence that memory can be improved. Yet, many middle-aged and older adults believe that they have little control over their memory. Two aspects of control, beliefs about memory ability or competence (efficacy) and beliefs about contingency (the relation between effort and performance) will be studied. These beliefs not only show age differences and declines, but they are consistently related to performance outcomes. The aim of this research is to examine the role that memory control beliefs play in contributing to age differences in episodic memory performance and to consider what behavioral and physiological mechanisms link control beliefs and memory performance. Memory for categorizable word lists will be tested in adults between the ages of 21 and 80. It is expected that age differences in episodic memory for words can be reduced by instilling positive views of memory control and by offering opportunities for actual control. It is predicted that promoting a sense of control over memory will result in more effective strategy use, less stress reactivity, and better memory performance, especially for middle-aged and older adults. Stress reactivity and recovery, assessed using salivary cortisol, and strategy use will be tested as mediators of the relationship between control beliefs and memory. To the extent that we can understand the nature of this relationship, it may be possible to develop more effect intervention strategies to enhance memory performance. The results can provide promising directives for reducing memory impairment and improving the everyday functioning of older adults.