Hindsight Bias Across the Life Span

Abstract

The authors review the current state of developmental research on hindsight bias. In research on cognitive development in children as well as in cognitive–aging research, studies on hindsight bias are rare. The few existing studies indicate that children and older adults show stronger hindsight bias than young adults. The authors show commonalities and differences in hindsight bias studies in the child development and aging literatures, and suggest venues for future research toward a life span perspective on the development of hindsight bias. Special emphasis is given to the potential of theories developed for other retroactive–interference paradigms to help explain age differences in hindsight bias. Methodological challenges in investigating the development of hindsight bias are also discussed.