Memory complaint and memory performance in the elderly: The effects of memory‐skills training and expectancy change

Abstract

Abstract While the incidence of memory complaint has always been high among the elderly, recent research has demonstrated that there is often a discrepancy between subjective memory complaint and actual memory performance in this population. Four experimental groups were established to examine the relationship and the factors that may affect changes in memory complaint and memory performance. The groups consisted of a memory training condition, an expectancy change condition, an art discussion control condition, and an evaluation control condition. It was hypothesized that memory training sessions would be the most effective in increasing memory performance scores, and that the expectancy change sessions would significantly reduce the incidence of memory complaint. The findings provide support for these predictions and indicate that memory training programmes should teach strategies to facilitate memory while addressing older adults' expectations about memory performance.