Abstract
In young adults, individual differences in working memory (WM) contribute to reinforcement learning (RL). Age-related RL changes, however, are mostly attributed to decreased reward prediction-error (RPE) signaling. Here, we investigated the contribution of WM to RL in young (18-35) and older (≥65) adults. Because WM supports maintenance across a limited timescale, we only expected a relation between RL and WM with short delays between stimulus repetitions. Our results demonstrated better learning with short than long delays. A week later, however, long-delay associations were remembered better. Computational modeling corroborated that during learning, WM was more engaged by young adults in the short-delay condition than in any other age-condition combination. Crucially, both model-derived and neuropsychological assessments of WM predicted short-delay learning in older adults, who further benefitted from using self-conceived learning strategies. Thus, depending on the timescale of learning, age-related RL changes may not only reflect decreased RPE signaling but also WM decline.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 654-676 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aging
- reinforcement learning
- working memory
- individual differences
- computational modeling