Knowledge growth and maintenance across the life span: The role of print exposure.

1995/09/01 by Keith E. Stanovich, Richard F. West, Michele R. Harrison · 19 citations
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Memory Processes and Influences #Cognitive Abilities and Testing #Child and Animal Learning Development

paper · doi:10.1037/0012-1649.31.5.811

Abstract

One hundred thirty-three college students (mean age = 19.1 years) and 49 older individuals (mean age = 79.9 years) completed 2 general knowledge tasks, a vocabulary task, a working memory task, a syllogistic reasoning task, and several measures of exposure to print. A series of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that when measures of exposure to print were used as control variables, the positive relationships between age and vocabulary, and age and declarative knowledge, were eliminated. Within each of the age groups, exposure to print was a significant predictor of vocabulary and declarative knowledge even after differences in working memory, general ability, and educational level were controlled. These results support the theory of fluid-crystallized intelligence and suggest a more prominent role for exposure to print in theories of individual differences in knowledge acquisition and maintenance.

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