Is Activation of Different Codes Related to Age and Stimulus Material?

Abstract

The activation of different codes as related to age and stimulus material was studied using a same/different classification task. Two age levels (6.5 and 10.6) and two kinds of stimuli were considered. Response latencies and errors were evaluated for pairs of letters and geometrical figures, tachistoscopically presented. For both types of material same responses were given to physical identity pairs, analog identity pairs, and name identity pairs. The results show that: 1) the nature of the stimuli affects the types of codes activated where higher-order operations are required to compare the stimuli; 2) the level of accuracy as a function of age for both types of stimuli.