PLANNING STRATEGIES AND CONTROL MECHANISMS - EVIDENCE FROM CLOSED-HEAD INJURY AND AGING

The ability to plan a sequence of actions in a fictious environment wa s studied in young adults, CHI patients and elderly. The planning task consisted in completing 10 errands on a map of a hypothetical town wh ere buildings, shops and public offices were shown. Results revealed s ignificant differences across groups. Error analyses revealed the pres ence of different heuristics at work when planning was performed by yo ung adults, elderly (older than 80 years) and CHI patients. The result s are thought to be relevant for detailing a componential analysis of the planning process and control mechanisms.