ADULT AGE-DIFFERENCES IN STRATEGIC AND DYNAMIC COMPONENTS OF FOCUSINGVISUAL-ATTENTION

Changes in the width of a focally attended area were assessed by analy sis of changes in reaction time associated with response-incompatible nontarget letters (flankers). In two experiments, the focus of attenti on widened as an increasing function of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA ). In contrast to the predictions of generalized slowing and inhibitio n-deficit models, this dynamic change in attention was comparable for young and older adults in both experiments. Evidence accumulation outs ide the focus of attention was greater for young adults than for older adults when target location varied (Experiment 2). This latter effect , however, was strategic (i.e., independent of SOA). Analyses of the t ask complexity functions (Brinley plots) indicated a greater contribut ion of generalized slowing when target location was constant (Experime nt 1)than when location varied (Experiment 2).