Brennan R. Payne|Xuefei Gao|Seung Man Noh|Carolyn J. Anderson|Elizabeth A. L. Stine?Morrow
The effects of print exposure on sentence processing and memory in older adults: Evidence for efficiency and reserve
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|Brandeis University|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
present study examination exposure print affects sentence processing memory older readersa sample older adults n 139 mean age 72 completed battery cognitive linguistic tests read series sentences recallwordbyword reading times recorded generalized linear mixed effects models used estimate components representing attentional allocation wordlevel textbaselevel processesolder adults higher levels print exposure showed greater efficiency wordlevel processing immediate instantiation new concepts allocated time semantic integration clause boundarieswhile lower levels working memory associated smaller wrapup effects individuals higher levels print exposure showed reduced effect working memory sentence wrapupimportantly print exposure positively associated sentence memory also found buffer effects working memory sentence recallthese findings suggest increased efficiency component reading processes come lifelong habits literacy buffer effects working memory decline comprehension contribute maintaining skilled reading among older adults