Implicit learning refers to situations in which a person learns about the structure of a stimulus environment without necessarily intending to do so. It is different from explicit learning which is defined as the conscious, intentional, and commonly hypothesis- guided acquisition of knowledge. The primary goal of this proposal is to investigate age-related differences in implicit and explicit learning on the process control task, and to determine how trying to learn influences learning when either complex or simple regularities are used. [Only one study of aging with the process control task has been reported, but it focused only on young versus middle aged people.] A secondary goal is to use aging to test theories, which assume that salient (simple) patterns engage an explicit system whereas non-salient (more complex) patterns engage an implicit system. So, the specific aims are to identify age-related differences in implicit and explicit learning on the process control task (Aim 1), and the effects of trying to discover a pattern on implicit and explicit learning (Aims 2 and 3). To achieve these goals, three experiments are proposed in which younger and older adults perform a task based on the work of Berry and Broadbent (1988) in which they attempt to control the production of a hypothetical sugar factory by varying the number of workers employed. These experiments have a practical relevance in that findings obtained here could be helpful in optimizing educational and rehabilitation procedures.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH065007-02
Application #
6619871
Study Section
Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes 3 (BBBP)
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$26,094
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgetown University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
049515844
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20057