Encoding and interference effects on visual working memory binding in young and older adults.
Lead Research Organisation:
Nottingham Trent University
Department Name: Sch of Social Sciences
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Allen RJ Brown LA Niven EH
(2013)
Working Memory: Developmental Differences, Component Processes and Improvement Mechanisms
Brown LA
(2017)
Visual feature binding in younger and older adults: encoding and suffix interference effects.
in Memory (Hove, England)
Logie RH Morris R
(2014)
Working Memory and Ageing
| Description | The project was aimed at developing our understanding of the mechanisms involved in cognitive ageing. We focused upon a form of memory that is sensitive to the ageing process - visual short-term ('working') memory, and aimed to establish the ability of healthy older adults to create and maintain the associations (bindings) between visual features (colours and shapes). An important area of debate exists regarding whether or not temporary memory for associated visual information is more age-sensitive than is memory for individual features. Another aim was to determine the potential role of encoding processes in any binding deficits observed, and on working memory performance more generally. As a result of this project, our empirical and theoretical understanding of binding in visual working memory has advanced. Previously, there has been relatively little research focusing specifically on temporary binding of visual material, and much less research that has investigated performance in older as well as younger adults. The research has therefore contributed necessary empirical data to this area of study. Theoretically, as a result of the grant, we now have a greater understanding of temporary visual feature binding and the effects of ageing on the processes involved in this ability. We now know that, when considering the temporary binding of surface visual features (colour and shape), supporting previous conclusions in the literature, healthy older adults are generally able to create and maintain bindings. Although deficits have occasionally been observed, they have been small and unreliable, relative to those reported in the literature on long-term memory and on pathological ageing (particularly Alzheimer's disease). Finally, the research demonstrated theoretically interesting limitations regarding how older adults encode information in visual working memory, which may indicate deficits in attentional and/or storage capacity. |
| Exploitation Route | The scientific findings and outputs have impacted upon, and will continue to impact upon, national and international academics in psychology, especially those who focus upon the study of cognitive psychology, of cognitive ageing, and of Alzheimer's disease. However, the research is also relevant to those interested in the basic study of visual working memory, attention, and binding, as well as those broadly interested in the study of cognitive ageing (thereby not limiting the audience to psychologists). Finally, the findings are relevant to clinicians and other healthcare providers, as the identification of a cognitive ability (temporary binding of colour and shape) that is insensitive to the effects of healthy ageing, allows for future development of tests of temporary binding that have been shown to be sensitive to neurodegenerative disease, notably Alzheimer's disease. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Healthcare,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-4661/read/reports |
| Description | The research and the broader topic has been discussed at a range of non-academic events including science festivals and other public engagement events. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Academic seminar (Liverpool John Moores University, 2012) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Seminar given to approximately 20 academics at the Psychology department at Liverpool John Moores University. The grant topic, research questions, and findings were disseminated, and detailed discussion amongst the group followed. A wide academic audience, drawn from the breadth of psychology, was reached. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Academic seminar (University of Missouri-Columbia, November 2015) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 20 academic staff, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students at the University of Missouri-Columbia engaged with the research topic and findings. There was in-depth discussion afterwards and increased interest in our research projects and the research topic in general. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Academic seminar (University of Notre Dame, Indiana, November 2015). |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 40 academic staff, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame engaged with the research topic and findings. There was in-depth discussion afterwards and increased interest in our research projects and the research topic in general. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Exhibition (Edinburgh Science Festival, 2012) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | To support this dissemination, visitors to the stall were invited to carry out working memory tasks on a laptop PC, which helped to demonstrate the concepts we were discussing. The general public, including schoolchildren, engaged with cognitive psychology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Interview - BBC Radio Nottingham (2014) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The interview focused upon "How to Improve Memory" in the context of everyday life, e.g. remembering lots of information. Regional listeners to the station were engaged in cognitive psychology and specifically the functioning of memory. A range of listeners were also interviewed for the piece, giving opinions on how they try to remember information and the everyday challenges they face. The interviewer also reported having an increased understanding of how to improve memory capacity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Poster (Science Live, Edinburgh, 2011) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Elaine Niven presented the poster to the general public, describing the information in more detail and answering questions. The exhibition increased public understanding of cognitive functioning. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Public engagement event (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | This public engagement event 'Research into Ageing: Recent Advances and Future Possibilities' was delivered as part of Strathclyde Engage Week: This allowed knowledge exchange and collaboration with local public, private, and third sector companies. There were four academic speakers, including the current PI (Dr Brown), and the topics included healthy cognitive ageing, dementia, cognition in Parkinson's disease, and older adults' use of digital technologies. Seventy people from across the various sectors attended the event, and we had a special guest speaker, Mr Brian Sloan, CEO of Age Scotland, who spoke about loneliness and isolation in older age. The event was a great success and this is evidenced by the evaluations we received afterwards (e.g. 'All topics were very interesting and informative', 'These are important topics today and of much relevance to the older person...Strathclyde's research function will greatly assist in disseminating the facts to appropriate parties'). The event also resulted in new collaborations for my research group - we are currently partnering with one of the charities that attended the event, Generations Working Together, to explore the outcomes of intergenerational engagement in older age. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Public engagement workshop (Lancaster, 2014) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This oral presentation on "visual working memory and healthy ageing" was given at a one-day conference for the general public (primarily older adults) in Lancaster and involved collaborating with three other academics interested in ageing from a psychological and educational perspective. There was in-depth discussion amongst academics and the general audience afterwards, during which we answered questions and provided further information. The aim was to improve the understanding of the general public regarding cognitive ageing and how memory operates. The conference resulted in the development of a collaboration between myself and another academic interested in cognitive ageing (Dr Carol Holland, Aston University). The audience also reported an increased engagement with, and understanding of, the topic. Feedback received after the conference included: "many thanks for a most interesting and informative day"; "The day was interesting, informative and very enjoyable"; and "What a brilliant team of speakers you assembled". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |