Cognition, but not sensation, mediates age-related changes in the ability to monitor the environment

Psychol Aging. 2008 Sep;23(3):665-70. doi: 10.1037/a0013285.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine which age-related changes in sensation and cognition are associated with age-related changes in the ability to monitor the environment. To that end, a proxy measure of the ability to monitor the environment (useful field of view, UFOV) and measures of sensation and cognition were collected from young adult (N = 61) and older adult subjects (N = 79). Although UFOV performance was expected to be mediated primarily by cognition rather than by sensation, it was somewhat unexpected to find no reliable associations between UFOV and sensory functioning beyond those of age and cognition.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Attention*
  • Auditory Threshold
  • Automobile Driving / psychology
  • Cognition*
  • Contrast Sensitivity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Sensation*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Visual Perception*