Preprint · Oct 2, 2023
On the Adaptive Reliance on Fuzzy Memory Representations in Adult Aging
By Greene NR, Naveh‐Benjamin M
According to fuzzy-trace theory, human cognition is driven by evolutionary and ontogenetic pressures to rely on less precise gist representations rather than retaining verbatim representations, especially in older adulthood, where declines in episodic memory are well-documented. Older adults’ reliance on gist representations is often viewed through a negative lens, as such representations can contribute to false memories. However, their ability to remember gist details of past episodes may also confer advantages, especially in situations where memory is most deficient, as in remembering where someone was encountered. Remembering the gist of past experiences may lead to “well-enough” performance in some situations, enabling older adults to remember just enough details to avoid catastrophic memory errors. Thus, in contrast to the many negative views about adult age-related changes in memory, the preservation of gist in older adulthood can have a positive impact and may speak to the evolutionary benefit of gist representations in situations in which human memory is severely limited.