Metamemory and metamemory in elperly people : state of the art

This paper describes a review of studies on memory and metamemory in older adults. 47 research reports published between 1995 and 2005 were analyzed and organized in a matrix, which allowed to classify the variables tackled in the studies. For each variable, the results of the studies found, show a perpetuation of the negative cultural stereotype about memory impairment associated with the aging process, and in a smaller number researches results show a positive stereotype characterized by the stability in the memory functioning even at an old age. The balance leads to questions about the relevance of the method design and of the questionnaires used to evaluate memory and metamemory in such population sample.