Reversal of Expected Transfer as a Function of Increased Age

Abstract

Anatomical studies have demonstrated a differential rate of neural tissue deterioration as a function of increased age. Speed of performance on simple and complex bilateral motor tasks should thus diminish as well as the differential between hands which would represent transfer. Two such tasks were employed on a sample of 209 Ss grouped by age. Results indicated not only the predicted reduction in speed with increased age but also a deterioration, and, in the oldest group (70 and older) reversal of the transfer phenomena. Inferring of a more rapid degeneration of interhemispheric connective fibres than of the cortical hemispheres themselves cannot be justified from these data although they do suggest further study.