Andrea Vranić

Personal Space in Physically Abused Children

Personal space of physically abused children (N = 36) and nonabused children (N = 38) ages 7 to 9 was assessed using a stop-distance technique. All children were approached by female and male experimenters from four directions. The personal space of abused children is significantly larger than that of their nonabused peers. Boys and girls do not significantly differ in the preferred size of personal space. The personal space of abused children is significantly larger when approached by a male person. Such effect is not found in the control group. Interaction of Sex of Participant × Sex of Approaching Person yields significant results only when children are approached frontally, and this significance can be observed in both participant groups. In all, abused children, presumably due to their traumatic experiences, demonstrate stronger need for personal space. The author finds these results to be consistent with the protective function of personal space.

Content-specific activational effects of estrogen on working memory performance.

The authors explored the influence of task content and the menstrual cycle phase on working memory (WM) performance. They addressed the content specificity of WM in the framework of evolutionary psychology, proposing a hormone-mediated adaptive design governing face perception. The authors tested 2 groups of healthy young women (n = 66 women with regular menstrual cycle, n = 27 oral contraceptive users) on a WM task with adult male or infant face photographs. Analyses of variance showed significant interaction between task content and estrogen level. Women were more efficient in solving the male faces task during high-estrogen phase of the cycle than during low-estrogen phase. No differences were found in the efficacy of solving the infant faces task between different phases of the cycle. Results suggest content-specific activational effects of estrogen on the WM performance and are consistent with the notion of a hormonal mechanism underlying adaptive shifts in cognition related to mating motivation.

The efficacy of a multifactorial memory training in older adults living in residential care settings

BACKGROUND Several studies have shown an increase in memory performance after teaching mnemonic techniques to older participants. However, transfer effects to non-trained tasks are generally either very small, or not found. METHODS The present study investigates the efficacy of a multifactorial memory training program for older adults living in a residential care center. The program combines teaching of memory strategies with activities based on metacognitive (metamemory) and motivational aspects. Specific training-related gains in the Immediate list recall task (criterion task), as well as transfer effects on measures of short-term memory, long-term memory, working memory, motivational (need for cognition), and metacognitive aspects (subjective measure of ones memory) were examined. Maintenance of training benefits was assessed after seven months. Fifty-one older adults living in a residential care center, with no cognitive impairments, participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two programs: the experimental group attended the training program, while the active control group was involved in a program in which different psychological issues were discussed. RESULTS A benefit in the criterion task and substantial general transfer effects were found for the trained group, but not for the active control, and they were maintained at the seven months follow-up. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that training procedures, which combine teaching of strategies with metacognitive-motivational aspects, can improve cognitive functioning and attitude toward cognitive activities in older adults.

The Efficacy of Dance Intervention as a Cognitive Training for Old-Old

This research investigates the efficacy of a dance intervention of moderate length (10 weeks, 45 min/week) on a sample of old-old adults living in a residential care setting. The study focused on the effect of the intervention on aspects of cognitive functioning (short-term memory, executive functioning). In addition, changes in general self-efficacy and life satisfaction were investigated. Twenty-four older adults (mean age M = 80.8), with no cognitive impairments, participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two programs: the experimental group attended the dance intervention, while the active control group was involved in an alternative (nondance) program. A pretest, posttest, and follow-up measurement was conducted. A 2 × 3 mixed design ANOVA revealed benefits in short-term memory and executive functioning for the trained group, but not for the active control, and this benefit was maintained at the 5 months follow-up. These results suggest that training procedures, based on dance, could improve cognitive functioning in the old-old.

Self-evaluation of memory systems : Development of the questionnaire

Objectives: The term metamemory refers to the knowledge one has about the development and use of memory in general, and ones own memory processes in particular. The current theoretical perspective on memory processes is best described by the memory systems framework which represents a useful tool in specifying different ‘kinds’ of memory. We present here the Self-evaluation of Memory Systems Questionnaire (SMSQ), which assesses the multidimensional construct of metamemory based on the memory systems framework. Method: SMSQ has been developed on a large and heterogeneous sample (N = 3088) via both, web-based and paper-and-pencil form. With the aim of increasing its general utility, we used items referring to situations or materials which are highly likely for everyone to have encountered during their everyday life. Results: Analyses revealed good content validity, factorial validity, internal consistency reliability, and construct validity in terms of expected theoretical group differences. SMSQ is represented by six distinct factors: subjective evaluation, episodic memory, semantic memory, memory for numbers, visuospatial memory, and reminder and aids. Age differences found on SMSQ between young and old adults confirm the well-established empirical findings on the memory and aging. Conclusion: SMSQ is a brief, easily administrable, multidimensional metamemory questionnaire, marked with the sound background from the findings on memory systems and cognitive aging.

Computerized tabletop games as a form of a video game training for old-old

ABSTRACT This research aimed at investigating the utility of a computerized version of a cognitively stimulating activity as a video game intervention for elderly. The study focused on the effect of a 6-week extensive practice intervention on aspects of cognitive functioning (vigilance, working memory (WM), inhibition, reasoning) of old-old participants (N = 29), randomly assigned to trained or active control group. The difference between groups was in the content of the extended video game practice – cognitively complex card game for trained and computerized version of a simple dice-game of chance for control participants. A pretest, posttest and a 4-month follow-up measurement was conducted. Results revealed improvements in both groups, except for improved reasoning found only in trained participants. These results suggest that: (1) improvements are dependent on the complexity of the program, (2) cognitively stimulating activity are a valid training procedure for old-old, (3) novelty of computer use is an important factor in determining training efficacy.

Functions of Autobiographical Memory in Younger and Older Adults

Functional approach to autobiographical memory (AM) posits its three broad functions: directive, self, and social. Although these functions are probably universal, life stage and gender variations are expected. This research builds on previous studies investigating the validity of Thinking About Life Experiences Questionnaire (TALE; Bluck and Alea, 2011). A sample of 365 adults (56% female, mean age 43.3 years), divided in 2 age cohorts (young: 18–45 years, old: 46–90 years), used TALE, to rate their tendency of using AM for three different purposes, and measures of self-concept clarity, attachment in close relationships and time perspective. Confirmatory factor analysis of TALE confirmed the tripartite model of AM functions and further analysis showed partial factorial equivalence across age and gender groups. Young tend to use AM more for directing future behavior and social-bonding, while no age differences were found in the use of AM to serve self-function. As for gender variations, women tend to use AM more for directing their behavior, while no other gender differences in the use of AM were found. TALE showed good internal consistency and convergent validity of the three subscales. The theory-driven hypotheses that individuals with low self-concept clarity would use AM more often to serve a self-function, those with higher levels of attachment anxiety would use AM more often to serve a social function, and those past-oriented would use memory more often for directive purpose, were all confirmed. Also confirmed was the notion of Past Negative Orientation to be more related to the directive use of AM than Past Positive Time Orientation. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Leisure time activities as cognitive training: Can cognitive fitness improve well-being of older adults?

Economic reports show that traditional economic variables are becoming insufficient in indicating nation’s progress and that self-reported well-being is emerging as an important indicator of nation’s prosperity and quality of life of its inhabitants. Since average life expectancy is consistently increasing all over the world, practitioners and scholars are increasingly confronted with the question of what can be done to improve the well-being of growing elderly population. An often highlighted characteristic of older adults is cognitive decline, and interventions aimed at improving or maintaining cognitive abilities of elderly are being extensively designed. In this chapter we will review studies indicating a link between cognition and well-being in aging and advocate (long-term) involvement in leisure activities as a form of cognitive training. Apart from its availability to a much wider audience than those participating in cognitive interventions, a key argument in favor of leisure activities is its unambiguous positive association with well-being.