Memory skill acquisition for young and old adults: does training order affect learning?

This paper presents an experiment with the purpose of identifying the effects of altering the order of training for a memory search task in old and young adults. Subjects with extensive practice on consistently mapped (CV) and variably mapped (VM) versions of a memory search task was provided. The results supported a prediction: namely, the comparison slope were more efficient for the older adults who received CM training first, relative to those who received VM training prior to the CM training. Order of practice did not significantly affect the performance of the young adults.