Effects of Aging on Sex Differences in Psychomotor Reminiscence and Tracking Proficiency

Abstract

The influence of aging on sex differences in psychomotor reminiscence and practice distribution effects was investigated in young (18 to 22 year) and elderly (57 to 86 year) participants within the context of reactive inhibition theory. As predicted by the theory in conjunction with hormonal considerations, aging eliminated the sex differences typically found in young adults, reduced the absolute amount of reminiscence, and diminished the gains in task proficiency arising from practice distribution, progressively so as practice increased. Significant age effects on task proficiency were detectable even within the age span of the elderly adults.