Knowledge is an important component of cognitive functioning and its role is becoming increasingly acknowledged in theoretical work on cognition and intelligence. Because knowledge stores increase with age, researchers have questioned whether the benefits of knowledge can outweigh age-related declines typically found in the mechanics of processing. Some data suggest that the acquisition and the use of knowledge require some effort and therefore could benefit from increased levels of perceived control. Yet it remains unclear how knowledge and control beliefs jointly affect cognitive processing and whether there are age differences in these processes. In light of the research indicating that control beliefs are particularly important among older adults, control beliefs may be an important antecedent of knowledge use among older adults. Three encoding processes that have been identified as possible mediators of the relationship between control beliefs and cognitive performance are persistence, strategy use, and task engagement. The proposed research investigates a mediational model in which the relationships among age, control beliefs, knowledge and memory performance are explored and the mediational role of these encoding processes are considered. The long-term goal of this research is to better understand how knowledge and control beliefs can offset age-related declines in cognitive processing.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01AG019196-04
Application #
6899733
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-4 (01))
Program Officer
Elias, Jeffrey W
Project Start
2002-09-01
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2005-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$222,844
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
Miller, Lisa M Soederberg; Zirnstein, Megan; Chan, Pauline K (2013) Knowledge differentially supports memory for nutrition information in later life. J Health Psychol 18:1141-52
Miller, Lisa M Soederberg; Cassady, Diana L (2012) Making healthy food choices using nutrition facts panels. The roles of knowledge, motivation, dietary modifications goals, and age. Appetite 59:129-39
Miller, Lisa M Soederberg; Gibson, Tanja N; Applegate, Elizabeth A (2010) Predictors of nutrition information comprehension in adulthood. Patient Educ Couns 80:107-12
Miller, Lisa M Soederberg; West, Robin L (2010) The effects of age, control beliefs, and feedback on self-regulation of reading and problem solving. Exp Aging Res 36:40-63
Soederberg Miller, Lisa M (2009) Age differences in the effects of domain knowledge on reading efficiency. Psychol Aging 24:63-74
Miller, Lisa M Soederberg; Cohen, Jason A; Wingfield, Arthur (2006) Contextual knowledge reduces demands on working memory during reading. Mem Cognit 34:1355-67
Miller, Lisa M Soederberg (2003) The effects of age and domain knowledge on text processing. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 58:P217-23