Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

Research on aging and memory has found that which type of memory is most affected?

1. Semantic memory

2. Episodic memory

3. Procedural memory

4. All types equally

The correct answer is: Episodic memory

Episodic memory, which pertains to the ability to recall specific events and experiences from one’s life, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of aging. Research indicates that as individuals age, they often experience difficulties with forming new episodic memories as well as retrieving existing ones. This decline is attributed to various factors, including changes in brain structure, such as the atrophy of the hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in the encoding and retrieval of episodic memories. In contrast, semantic memory, which involves the storage of general knowledge and facts, tends to remain relatively stable with age. Likewise, procedural memory, which relates to skills and habits, usually shows resilience over time, often remaining intact or even improving in some respects with practice, despite age-related cognitive decline. The notion that all types of memory are affected equally does not align with the bulk of research findings, which consistently highlight the greater susceptibility of episodic memory to age-related changes.