Aging effect on face recogntion

Abstract

Objectives. To examine the differences in face memory between young and older adults. Methods. The 46 healthy participants, 23 young (mean age, 21.8; standard deviation, 0.4 years) and 23 older (mean age, 66.4; standard deviation, 3.7 years) adults volunteered for this study. They were asked to learn and recognise unfamiliar faces in three recognition trials: after a single exposure, after four exposures, and after a half-hour delay. Results. The findings indicated non-significant differences in recognition accuracy (p>0.05), though the performance of the young adults was superior. However, for reaction time, there was a significant group and condition interaction (p=0.02). Conclusions. Compared to young adults, older adults may use a different processing route during face recognition in order to compensate for the decline in their cognitive abilities.