Speed and Accuracy of Mental Image Rotation in Young and Elderly Adults

The mental image rotation abilities of young and elderly persons were examined in three conditions. Participants were asked to respond as quickly as possible, as accurately as possible, or to be both fast and accurate in responding. The accuracy performance of elderly adults was poorer in the speed condition than that of college-aged persons. In the accuracy and the speed/accuracy conditions, however, elderly participants responded as accurately as did younger participants, although the elderly individuals took longer on average to accomplish the image rotation tasks. The results of this study indicate that elderly persons may be more proficient at mental image rotation than has been supposed, particularly when the demand for speed in responding is tempered or eliminated.