Effects of Age, Stimulus Selection, and Retrieval Environment on Odor Identification

Abstract

Age differences in odor identification were investigated by using relatively familiar and unfamiliar chemical stimuli and enhancing the retrieval environment by restrictive reminding of memories evoked by stimulus during initial presentation. Age differences were seen in initial identification, in learning the labels of items in the stimulus set, in presentation. Age differences were seen in initial identification, in learning the labels of items in the stimulus set, in forgetting over a 24-hr period, but not in forgetting over a 7-day period. Old (n = 20) and young (n = 20) study participants benefitted equally from enrichment of retrieval environment with restrictive reminding of memories evoked at initial presentation. Item analysis indicated that selection of stimuli had a significant effect on age differences in odor identification.