Solution shift performance in the elderly.
Seventy-two elderly adults were presented a concept problem which varied as a function of type of solution shift (reversal or nonreversal) and stimulus materials (compact designs, distributed designs, or distributed foods). Both trials to criterion and postshift error patterns were analyzed. Results indicated that stimulus materials affected postshift performance and that the elderly do respond in a dimensional fashion under some circumstances. Examination of individual protocols revealed that a rigidity notion would not account for the difficulty the elderly experienced when solution was shifted. Several alternative explanations were offered for the failure of many volunteers to solve the postshift problem.
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