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Children exhibit superior memory for attended but outdated information compared to adults

Author

Listed:
  • Yingtao Fu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Tingyu Guo

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Jiewei Zheng

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Jie He

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Mowei Shen

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Hui Chen

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University)

Abstract

Research on the development of cognitive selectivity predominantly focuses on attentional selection. The present study explores another facet of cognitive selectivity—memory selection—by examining the ability to filter attended yet outdated information in young children and adults. Across five experiments involving 130 children and 130 adults, participants are instructed to use specific information to complete a task, and then unexpectedly asked to report this information in a surprise test. The results consistently demonstrate a developmental reversal-like phenomenon, with children outperforming adults in reporting this kind of attended yet outdated information. Furthermore, we provide evidence against the idea that the results are due to different processing strategies or attentional deployments between adults and children. These results suggest that the ability of memory selection is not fully developed in young children, resulting in their inefficient filtering of attended yet outdated information that is not required for memory retention.

Suggested Citation

  • Yingtao Fu & Tingyu Guo & Jiewei Zheng & Jie He & Mowei Shen & Hui Chen, 2024. "Children exhibit superior memory for attended but outdated information compared to adults," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48457-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48457-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven J. Luck & Edward K. Vogel, 1997. "The capacity of visual working memory for features and conjunctions," Nature, Nature, vol. 390(6657), pages 279-281, November.
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