The Self-Reference Effect and Same-Age Bias in Item and Source Memory

Abstract

The present study examines age-related differences in the self-reference effect and how self-referencing influences memory for details and source memory. We also examine a potential same-age bias in memory. Fifty young adults (M=20.47 years) and 36 older adults (M=71.08 years) participated in the study. After viewing a video in which four speakers present various factual statements, participants were asked to recall the statements and indicate which speaker said the statement. Compared to older adults, younger adults recalled more details from the statements and had more correct source identifications. For the young adults only, those who self-referenced recalled details more accurately. However, both age groups had superior source memory when source-monitoring. There was little evidence of same-age bias. These results suggest that older adults? memory for details does not benefit from self-referencing to the same extent as for younger adults, while source memory for older and younger adults benefit equally from source-monitoring.