Biomedical subjects

D K Gilbert

Publications and source records attributed to D K Gilbert.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Age-related differences in the acquisition, utilization, and extension of a spatial mental model.

The acquisition, utilization, and extension of a spatial mental model were assessed for young and older adults. The model consisted of a map with nine buildings. In acquisition, 91% of the young adults and 62% of the older adults were able to acquire the mental model as determined by a strict criterion. There were age differences in trials required to reach criterion. However, once acquired, the older adults were able to utilize their mental model as well as the young adults, with the exception of questions that were taxing on working memory. Both age groups were also able to extend their mental model to 16 buildings, and then utilize this extended model. Individual differences in working memory and fluid intelligence were related to successful acquisition of the mental model.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

An analysis of automatic teller machine usage by older adults: a structured interview approach.

It is often assumed that automatic teller machines (ATMs) are inherently easy to use and require no training. However, there is evidence to suggest that ATM users do experience difficulty when learning to use the system. The purpose of the present study was to conduct an in-depth analysis of ATM usage by older adults. Our approach consisted of telephone interviews followed by structured individual interviews. The goals were to understand the problems encountered by ATM users, to determine how ATMs might be better designed and to assess the training needs of older individuals. The phone interview data provide information about the relationships between age, sex and ATM usage within the adult sample, as well as information about why some people choose not to use ATMs. The structured interview data provide a more in-depth view of the concerns of both users and non-users, and information about training needs. The training and design implications of the results are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Do performance strategies mediate age-related differences in associative learning?

Associative learning is a basic component of most learning tasks and has been shown to decline with age. The authors examined associative learning for younger and older adults by using a noun-pair task. Interim testing and prior practice on a similar task were the manipulated variables. Participants were encouraged to use an efficient retrieval strategy. Interim tests provided the motivation to learn the information, whereas prior practice on a similar task was presumed to make the task easier. The authors examined these variables both independently and interactively. For younger adults, performance benefited little from prior practice but did benefit from interim testing. For older adults, interim tests were beneficial for development of a retrieval strategy irrespective of prior training. Prior training proved beneficial for development of a retrieval strategy in the absence of interim tests. Thus, task parameters influenced the performance strategy (and learning), especially of older adults.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Automatic category search and its transfer: aging, type of search, and level of learning.

We examined the site of learning as a function of task type and age. Two experiments examined whether learning in semantic category search is exclusive to trained elements of categories or generalizable to other elements of the trained categories. Specifically, we examined how practice searching for small subsets of exemplars from taxonomic categories transferred to untrained elements of those categories. Young and old adults received extensive practice on memory search (Experiment 1) or visual search (Experiment 2) tasks. Participants then transferred to conditions assessing whether learning was exclusive to the trained words or generalizable to other elements of the trained categories. The site of learning in memory search appears to be at the category level for both young and old adults. Level of learning in visual search appears to differ as a function of age. Young adults' learning generalizes to the category level, whereas older adults' learning is specific to the trained words.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Age-related differences in perceptual learning.

The present study investigated age-related differences in perceptual learning. We assessed performance and learning on a semantic category visual search task. We investigated whether prepractice was beneficial for general learning and for automatic attention response development. In terms of general learning, prepractice was beneficial, especially for older adults; however, prepractice did not benefit automatic attention response development. The implications of these results for training purposes are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

A survey of automatic teller machine usage across the adult life span.

The purpose of this study was to analyze automatic teller machine (ATM) usage across the adult life span. We conducted an extensive survey of 9000 people in the Memphis and Atlanta metropolitan areas. Approximately 17% of those people responded. The survey assessed detailed demographic information, experience with technology in general, experience specifically related to ATMs, problems and dislikes with ATMs, and reasons that people do not use ATMs. The survey provided a valuable set of data. First, we have detailed information about the demographics and individual characteristics of ATM users and nonusers; importantly, these data are stratified across the adult life span. In addition, we know the likes and dislikes of ATM users and the types of problems they typically have using ATMs. Moreover, we have detailed analysis of why adults of all ages may choose not to use ATMs. Training and design implications of these data are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Dual-task assessment of age differences in automatic process development.

The present experiment assessed dual-task performance in 20 young (mean age 21) and 20 old (mean age 72) adults. Ss first received extensive single-task practice on consistent and varied search tasks. Next, they received dual-task practice in 2 conditions: (a) varied visual search plus varied memory search and (b) consistent visual search plus varied memory search. In the varied-varied condition, young and old adults showed similar dual-task decrements. These results, along with the current data in the literature, suggest that practice may play an important role in determining age-related dual-task differences (or lack thereof). In the consistent-varied condition, young adults attained single-task performance levels, because they had automatized the consistent task. Old adults were unable to match their single-task performance levels, indicating that they were unable to automatize the consistent task.

Adolescent↗