The role of contextual variables, such as emotion and motivation, in older adults' cognitive performance has typically been downplayed in cognitive aging research. Characterizing the everyday functioning of older adults, however, requires an integrated understanding of changes in contextual and cognitive mechanisms as people grow older. In the proposed research, the interplay of available cognitive resources (e.g., selective attention as measured by working memory capacity), goals, and emotion regulation will be examined in the context of emotional memory. In year one,two experiments will be conducted to determine (1) whether emotional suppression in older adults is only evoked in conditions where goals are most likely to have an influence (Experiment 1) and (2) whether emotional suppression in older adults is supported by selective attention (Experiment 2). The relationship between age,selective attention, emotional suppression, and emotional memory will be further studied in year two,using advanced statistical techniques (structural equation modeling) acquired through formal coursework in year one. The proposed study has implications for clinical conceptualizations of emotional control and memory training in older adults.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AG027633-03
Application #
7340718
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F11 (20))
Program Officer
Nielsen, Lisbeth
Project Start
2006-02-01
Project End
2008-07-31
Budget Start
2008-02-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$33,298
Indirect Cost
Name
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
042092122
City
Raleigh
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27695
Emery, Lisa; Hess, Thomas M (2011) Cognitive consequences of expressive regulation in older adults. Psychol Aging 26:388-96
Emery, Lisa; Hale, Sandra; Myerson, Joel (2008) Age differences in proactive interference, working memory, and abstract reasoning. Psychol Aging 23:634-45
Emery, Lisa; Hess, Thomas M (2008) Viewing instructions impact emotional memory differently in older and young adults. Psychol Aging 23:2-12