A test of memory for visual hierarchical stimuli was given to normal v
olunteers from three age groups (21 to 78 years old). Significant age-
related declines were found in recall of global- and local-level stimu
li on three immediate recall trials and on a 20-min delayed recall tri
al. On delayed recognition testing, older subjects chose significantly
more false-positive items that were correct at the global level only.
When younger subjects were equated for initial recall of global-level
stimuli, the older subjects were deficient in immediate recall of loc
al-level stimuli. These results suggest that memory for hierarchical s
timuli declines with age and that aging may disproportionately affect
memory for local-level stimuli.