Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

The relationship between everyday problem solving and inconsistency in reaction time in older adults.

Full Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether inconsistency in reaction time (RT) is predictive of older adults' ability to solve everyday problems. A sample of 304 community dwelling non-demented older adults, ranging in age from 62 to 92, completed a measure of everyday problem solving, the Everyday Problems Test (EPT). Inconsistency in latencies across trials was assessed on four RT tasks. Performance on the EPT was found to vary according to age and cognitive status. Both mean latencies and inconsistency were significantly associated with EPT performance, such that slower and more inconsistent RTs were associated with poorer everyday problem solving abilities. Even after accounting for age, education, and mean level of performance, inconsistency in reaction time continued to account for a significant proportion of the variance in EPT scores. These findings suggest that indicators of inconsistency in RT may be of functional relevance.

Author information

Author/s: Burton, Catherine L (CL); Strauss, Esther (E); Hultsch, David F (DF); Hunter, Michael A (MA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, BC, Canada. clburton(-atsign-)uvic.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition (Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 16 (issue 5) : pp 607-32

Dates: Created 2009/09/03; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19728187, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged Aged, 80 and over Aging Analysis of Variance Cognition Cognition Disorders Educational Status Female Humans

Humans Male Middle Aged Neuropsychological Tests Problem Solving Psychomotor Performance Reaction Time Regression Analysis Severity of Illness Index

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Aging, cognitive resources, and declarative learning. 29 Nov 1996
• [Executive functioning and normal aging: a study of arithmetic word-problem-solving] 29 Nov 2007
• Age and distraction by telephone conversation in task performance: implications for use of cellular telephones while driving. 30 Mar 2002
• Structural constraints on process explanations in cognitive aging. 28 Feb 2000
• Age and sex differences in the processing of verbal and nonverbal stimuli. 27 Feb 1974
• Converging evidence that visuospatial cognition is more age-sensitive than verbal cognition. 28 Feb 2000
• Predicting age-related dual-task effects with individual differences on neuropsychological tests. 30 Dec 2004
• Young and older adults' strategies in complex arithmetic. 30 Dec 2007
• The associative-memory basis of cognitive skill learning: adult age differences. 30 Aug 2006
• Effects of age and mild cognitive impairment on direct and indirect access to arithmetic knowledge. 25 Dec 2006

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.