Abstract
The frequency of spontaneous task-unrelated images and thoughts (TUITs) during reading was determined in an adult life span sample (n = 121, 18–79 years old) to examine the generality of Giambra's finding of reduced TUTT frequency with increased age using a nonsemantic task (vigilance) [1]. Hasher and Zacks have predicted an increase in TUITs based upon a postulated reduced inhibition of off-goal path thoughts into working memory in older adults during text processing and comprehension [2]. In this study, each subject recorded spontaneous and deliberate TUITs while reading four non-fiction passages representing high and low levels of interest and difficulty. No effects were found for deliberate TUITs. However, the older men had significantly fewer spontaneous TUITs than the younger men, while no age difference in spontaneous TUIT frequency was evident for the women. The differential outcome for men and women could not be explained, but appeared to be the result of having a sample of older women who were unusually likely to have TUITs. It is clear that spontaneous TUITs do not increase with age, and this is inconsistent with Hasher and Zack's theory [2].
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