MINIMAL AGE-RELATED DEFICITS IN TASK SWITCHING, INHIBITION, AND OCULOMOTOR CONTROL

Background/Study Context: We are often required to carry out complex tasks in changing, context-dependent ways. This task switching requires the rapid realignment of attention to task constraints and may be age sensitive. Methods: Three experiments, two in which eye movements were recorded, were conducted to assess age-related differences in task switching and inhibitory control. Observers carried out a Same-Different task and Go-No Go task in single and mixed blocks of trials. Results: Other than Experiment 1, although switch costs were observed, they were not larger for older adults compared to younger adults. Furthermore, eye movement and false alarm data demonstrated little evidence of age-related decline in inhibitory and oculomotor control. Conclusions: A major implication is that, at least when two tasks involve different stimuli and unique responses, older adults are no more likely than younger adults to show task-switching costs or inhibition deficit.