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Training older adults on Theory of Mind (ToM): Transfer on metamemory.
- Source :
-
Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics . Jan2015, Vol. 60 Issue 1, p217-226. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Background Research on aging has shown a significant decline in ToM after 65 years of age. Despite these age-related difficulties, no study has yet investigated the possibility to improve ToM in older adults. To address this gap we tested the efficacy of a conversation-based ToM training with age-appropriate ToM tasks and its transfer effects on metamemory. Method We examined 72 older adults ( M age = 67.61 years, SD = 6.39 years) assigned to three training conditions: a ToM training, a physical-conversation training and a social-contact group. All participants took part in two 2-h testing and to two 2-h training sessions. Results Results showed that after the intervention, older adults in the ToM training group improved their mental states’ understanding significantly more than participants in the physical-conversation training and in the social-contact groups. Crucially, the positive effect of the ToM intervention generalized to metamemory knowledge. Conclusions This is the first study investigating the efficacy of a ToM training and its transfer effect on metacognition in older adults. From a theoretical point of view, it supports the relation between ToM and metamemory. Practical implications of these data are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *ACADEMIC medical centers
*AGE distribution
*MEMORY
*OLD age
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01674943
- Volume :
- 60
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 99895043
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2014.10.001