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Occupational Medicine 2000;50:478-482
© 2000 Society of Occupational Medicine

Acquisition and Application of New Technology Skills: The Influence of Age

S. J. Westerman and D. R. Davies

Psychology Institute, Aston University Birmingham, UK

This paper reviews the literature relating to the effects of ageing on the acquisition and application of new technology skills. Experiential, physiological, and cognitive factors are identified that place older adults at a disadvantage, relative to younger adults, when using new technologies. Consistent with this position, experimental evidence indicates an advantage for younger adults in speed of task performance, coupled with a tendency toward greater accuracy. The possibility that these differences can be overcome by means of training intervention is considered. However, it seems that age differences in performance persist, regardless of a training regime. Although some older adults are capable of high levels of performance, these tend to be individuals of high cognitive ability, relative to their peers. When age group means are considered, the only way that older adults are able to equal the performance of younger adults on new technology tasks is through additional practice.

Keywords      Adult ageing; human-computer interaction; human factors; individual differences

Correspondence to: Dr Steve Westerman, Psychology Institute, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK. Tel: +44 (0)121 359 3611; fax: +44 (0)121 359 3257; e-mail: s.j.westerman{at}aston.ac.uk


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