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Aging and Word Retrieval: Personal and Contextual Influences

Award Number: R15AG063111
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/15/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2023

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Aging and Word Retrieval: Personal and Contextual Influences - Word retrieval refers to a series of steps required to successfully produce a desired word. This process feels deceptively simple, and usually goes smoothly, but when it fails, it can be irritating and disruptive to communication. Self-reports and experimental data indicate substantial declines in word retrieval during the normal aging process. However, very little is known about how contextual and individual difference variables affect word retrieval processes and whether such factors similarly affect young and older adult speakers. This project will increase understanding of variables related to the production of words in isolation, as well as speech fluency during discourse production. The transmission deficit hypothesis (MacKay & Burke, 1990) provides the theoretical framework under which novel predictions are tested. The first aim is to examine the effects of targeted personal variables on the relationship between aging and word retrieval. Two non-experimental studies will test for hypothesized relationships between speaker age, measured individual difference factors, and word retrieval indices. The second aim is to determine whether the effects of aging on word retrieval vary following a mindfulness manipulation. Three experiments will manipulate the context in which young and older adults' word retrieval is tested by introducing a brief mindfulness exercise. The proposed research is significant in that it tests word retrieval, an everyday task that becomes more difficult and frustrating with age. Results regarding the effects of non-lexical factors on word retrieval in young and older adults will critically shape theory development. The research is designed to incorporate undergraduate and masters-level student research assistants so that they gain meaningful experience to foster their interest in pursuing careers in science. The ultimate applied goal of the research is to reduce word retrieval difficulty, possibly through widespread implementation of strategies to minimize negative contextual and individual-difference influences on word retrieval.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = -$16,904 )
2024	2019	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	1420 AUSTIN BLUFFS PKWY	COLORADO SPRINGS	CO	80918	EL PASO	USA	Aging Research	000	1	2/9/2024	NEW	-$16,904
														Subtotal = -$16,904

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2020	2019	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	1420 AUSTIN BLUFF PKWY CH209	COLORADO SPRINGS	CO	80918	EL PASO	USA	Aging Research	000	1	9/21/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $385,165 )
2019	2019	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	1420 AUSTIN BLUFF PKWY CH209	COLORADO SPRINGS	CO	80918	EL PASO	USA	Aging Research	000	1	8/2/2019	NEW	$385,165
														Subtotal = $385,165

Grand Total All Awards = $368,261

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Aging and Word Retrieval: Personal and Contextual Influences

Award Number: R15AG063111

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/15/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2023

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