Data from a previously reported study were re-analyzed to determine whether increased cautiousness could explain age differences in performance requiring selective attention. 175 female volunteers, ranging in age from 17 to 72 yr., were given an auditory task requiring selective attention. An intrusion-to-omission ratio, computed for each subject, showed no significant differences across the age range. Results indicate increased cautiousness on the part of elderly persons cannot adequately explain age differences in performance requiring selective attention.
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