Further considerations regarding inhibitory processes, working memory, andcognitive aging

The present study explored the relationship between inhibitory processing ( as indexed by identity negative priming in a letter-naming task), working m emory, discourse processing, and cognitive aging effects. Consistent with s everal other recent reports, this study found evidence of intact inhibitory processing, as measured by negative priming, in older adults as well as yo unger adults. This intact negative priming occurred in conjunction with dim inished working memory span and impaired memory in the discourse processing task in the same sample of older adults, further arguing against the likel ihood that declines in these areas are caused by impairments in the inhibit ory processes measured by negative priming. The implications of these resul ts for theories of cognitive aging and possible reasons for inconsistent fi ndings regarding negative priming effects among the elderly are discussed.