Long-Term Retention of a Spatial Mental Model for Younger and Older Adults

Mental models are knowledge structures that are used to describe, predict, and explain the system that they represent. Mental models can be useful for both younger and older adults. Past research (Gilbert & Rogers, 1999 Gilbert, D. K. and Rogers, W. A. 1999. Age-related differences in the acquisition, utilization, and extension of a spatial mental model. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 54B: P246–P255. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 54B, P246–P255) indicated that both younger and older adults were able to acquire and utilize a new spatial mental model. Younger and older adult participants from that research returned after a 2-week interval and a group of younger adult participants returned after 4 weeks to determine if their mental model was retained over time. Retention was best for the younger adult 2-week group; performance did not differ for the older adult 2-week and younger adult 4-week groups. Participants who were able to reconstruct the map initially were able to utilize the information very well, regardless of age or retention interval. In addition, both younger and older adults who showed lower initial retention benefited from a brief study time. Implications for refresher training are discussed.