Retrieval mode switching affects autobiographical memory accuracy and elaboration in ageing

Abstract

Flexibility in the recall of autobiographical memories, from highly detailed and unique episodes to more abstract and decontextualised personal knowledge, depends on control processes and contextual factors, including the specific task demands. Here, we investigated the costs of switching between different types of autobiographical retrieval in young and older adults. In the task, participants were asked to recall specific (unique events) and categoric events (repeated events) in separate blocks of trials, and were then instructed to switch between specific and categoric retrieval. We analysed autobiographical memory recall in term of accuracy (percentage of memories consistent with instructions), and elaboration (count of different types of details produced). Our results revealed switch costs in memory accuracy, with older adults recalling fewer memories consistent with instructions after a switch occurred, but no age differences in accuracy at baseline, when specific and categoric memories were retrieved in separate blocks. Age difference in memory elaboration were identified, with older adults producing a lower proportion of episodic details when instructed to describe specific past events, as well as a lower proportion of repeated event details and a higher proportion of semantic details when instructed to retrieve categoric memories. Together these results reveal that autobiographical memory retrieval in ageing is highly dependent on the specific task demands, intertwined with a general episodic-to-semantic shift.