Effect of Perceptions of Future Time on Implicit and Explicit Memory in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: We examine age-related differences in implicit and explicit memory tasks, and test the impact of future time perspectives on priming and cued recall.

METHODS: We induced time perspective in young (limited-time perspective) and older (extended-time perspective) adults. Implicit and explicit memory tasks were performed by younger and older adults.

RESULTS: Results showed an age-related effect on priming and cued recall, confirming that implicit and explicit memory are impaired in aging. Nevertheless, manipulation of future time perspective eliminated age differences in priming and cued recall.

DISCUSSION: These findings support the view that it is not age per se that determines memory performance but rather the perception of the time left to us. Socio-emotional selectivity theory thus seems to be a serious candidate to explain age-related differences in implicit and explicit memory.