LONG-TERM RETENTION OF SKILLED VISUAL-SEARCH - DO YOUNG-ADULTS RETAINMORE THAN OLD ADULTS

Young and old Ss received extensive consistent-mapping visual search p ractice (3,000 trials). The Ss returned to the laboratory following a 16-month retention interval. Retention of skilled visual search was as sessed using the trained stimuli (assessment of retention of stimulus- specific learning) and using new stimuli (assessment of retention of t ask-specific learning). All Ss, regardless of age group, demonstrated impressive retention. However, age-related retention differences favor ing the young were observed when retention of stimulus-specific learni ng was assessed. No age-related retention differences were observed wh en task-specific learning was assessed. The data suggest that age-rela ted retention capabilities depend on the type of learning assessed.