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Ageing and the retrieval of specialized and general knowledge: performance of Masterminds

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Maylor, Elizabeth A.. (1994) Ageing and the retrieval of specialized and general knowledge: performance of Masterminds. British Journal of Psychology, Vol.85 (No.1). pp. 105-114. ISSN 00071269

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Abstract

Contestants in the television quiz show Mastermind attempt to answer correctly as many questions as possible in two minutes on: (1) A specialized subject of their own choosing and (2) general knowledge. In this study, past contestants were asked to provide details of their performance in the competition. It was predicted that younger contestants would outperform older contestants under the speeded conditions of Mastermind because of their superior fluid intelligence. The main results were as follows: (1) Higher scores and lower tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) rates were achieved in the specialized subject round than in the general knowledge round. (2) TOT rate was positively related across the two rounds. (3) There was no effect of age on performance in the specialized subject round. In the general knowledge round, age was positively correlated with both score and accuracy. Thus, contrary to predictions, the older contestants actually outperformed the younger contestants (at least in the general knowledge round), presumably because of their superior crystallized intelligence. The results are discussed in terms of ‘limited impact’ theories of ageing, such that age-related decline in fluid intelligence does not necessarily occur for (a) everybody or (b) everything.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Memory -- Age factors , Ability, Influence of age on , Television quiz shows, Age and intelligence
Journal or Publication Title: British Journal of Psychology
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ISSN: 00071269
Official Date: 1994
Dates:
DateEvent
1994Published
Volume: Vol.85
Number: No.1
Page Range: pp. 105-114
Identification Number: 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1994.tb02511.x
Status: Peer Reviewed
References:

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Received 7 January 1993; revised version received 13 May 1993
URI: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/35811

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