Memory and Curiosity for Free Grocery Items and Prices in Younger and Older Adults.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional laboratory experiment by design analogy (non-clinical cognitive psychology study)
PubMed 41782518 · doi:10.1080/0361073X.2026.2633693
What was done
Across two experiments, researchers tested younger and older adults on memory for grocery items, categories, and prices. Experiment 1 tested recall for free, market-priced (schema-consistent), and overpriced (schema-inconsistent) items. Experiment 2 asked participants to rate their curiosity about item prices prior to viewing them, assessing whether state curiosity predicted subsequent recall accuracy for schema-consistent versus schema-inconsistent information.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, exact sample sizes, or test statistics. Older adults showed greater accuracy recalling market-priced and free items compared to overpriced items across both experiments, whereas younger adults showed no significant differences across price conditions. In Experiment 2, state curiosity significantly predicted accuracy in recalling exact prices, with the relationship reported as particularly strong in older adults.
Why it matters
The findings indicate that schematic support (including items labeled as free) and state curiosity can help offset age-related associative memory deficits in older adults.
Limits
The abstract omits sample size, participant demographics, and numerical effect sizes. The laboratory task setup may not fully reflect real-world purchasing behavior or everyday financial decision-making.
Cited by
- supports Older adults remember plausible prices consistent with their schemas but rapidly forget implausible prices, whereas younger adults fail to selectively filter information in this way.