"Investigating the Benefits of a Combined Motivational and Cognitive Intervention for Older Adults"

Competitive Edge Summer Research Program
Symposium Presentation: August 16, 2018
UCI Student Center
 
Title: "Investigating the Benefits of a Combined Motivational and Cognitive Intervention for Older Adults"
Presenter: Alexandria Weaver
Faculty Advisor: Susanne Jaeggi

Abstract

​Aging differentially affects cognitive abilities such as our general knowledge, processing speed, or working memory. Working memory is particularly susceptible to the effects of aging. Previous work has found beneficial effects of training working memory in older adults, but there are important factors that could lead to even greater and longer-lasting effects such as motivation, one’s own belief about their potential to improve their intellectual abilities, as well as trust in one’s memory capabilities. The present study aims to investigate whether a combined motivational and working memory training intervention is more effective than working memory training alone in healthy older adults between the ages of 65-85.
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