Michel Isingrini, Laurence Taconnat
The present study sought to determine whether the age-related influence on fluid intelligence is distinct from, and indépendant of, the age-related influence on episodic memory. Intelligence tasks and a free recall task were administrated to 318 adults from two age groups (20-40 years and 60-85 years). Intelligence was assessed with crystallized tests (WAIS Vocabulary and Similarities subtests) and with a fluid test (Cattell's matrice) . Episodic memory was assessed using a free recall task with a word list. The data were analysed using multiple regression and by comparing the free recall performance of three groups of subjects selected on the basis of their age and fluid intelligence score. The results showed that age was a more important factor for predicting episodic memory decline than was fluid intelligence. This observation provides supporting evidence for the idea that the aging of fluid intelligence and the aging of episodic memory are two relatively separate phenomena. Results are discussed within the neuropsychological framework of structural theories and within the reduced processing resources perspective.