Age comparisons of performance-based measures of forgetting were carri
ed out. In Exp. 1, 18- to 21-year-olds and 55- to 64-year-olds (n = 24
) forgot at an equal rate when compared at 30 s and at 3,6, and 24 hr
after acquisition. In Exp. 2, 17- to 21-year-olds and 65- to 74-year-o
lds (n = 24) were compared at the same 4 retention intervals. Initial
learning was equated for the 2 groups. There was evidence for an age d
ifference in forgetting rate in cued recall when a minimal learning le
vel was required. In Exp. 3, 440 men and women 17 to 74 years old were
assigned to a retention interval from 10 min to 7 hr. Age was related
to 4 performance-based measures of forgetting rate. Although the age
differences were small, they imply 2 decremental processes: 1 before 1
0 min, possibly a result of incomplete consolidation, and a later 1 th
at is continuously and cumulatively operative thereafter. Evidence rel
ating initial level to forgetting rate is presented.