| REU 2008 - Mentor abstract |
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Celia Wolk Gershenson
Psychology
Gershenson’s research is focused on behavioral studies that assess learning, attention, and memory in older adults and those with dementia. Studies are conducted in a laboratory setting using computerized tasks. The goals of the studies are to determine the degree to which older adults may differ from younger and middle-aged adults on these tasks and to examine the variables that may facilitate or retard learning and performance. One current study is an investigation of some of the variables that affect multi-task performance (see Salthouse reference).
In collaboration with Dr. Herb Pick research may be conducted in navigation and spatially coordinated behaviors in older adult drivers. Another set of studies is devoted to age-related changes in goals of friendships, choosing social partners and social networks ( See Frederickson & Carstensen reference).
- Salthouse, T. (1996). Determinants of adult age differences on synthetic work performance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 2, 305-329.
- Fredrickson, Barbara L.; Carstensen, Laura L. (1990) Choosing social partners: How old age and anticipated endings make people more selective. Psychology and Aging. 5, 335-347
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