STABILITY AND ACCURACY OF METAMEMORY IN ADULTHOOD AND AGING - A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS

The stability and accuracy of memory perceptions in 2 longitudinal sam ples was examined. Sample 1 consisted of 231 adults (22-78 years) test ed twice over 2 years. Sample 2 consisted of 234 adults (55-86 years) tested 3 times over 6 years. Measures of perceived and actual memory c hange were obtained. A primary focus was whether perceptions of memory change stem from application of an implicit theory about aging and me mory or from accurate monitoring of actual changes in performance. Ind ividual differences in metamemory were highly stable over time. Result s suggested at least some accurate monitoring of memory in Sample 2, i n which actual change was greatest. However, the overall pattern of re sults is largely consistent with predictions derived from an implicit theory hypothesis.