Age Differences in Familiarity and Recollection: ERP Evidence for the Development of Recognition Memory in Childhood

Is there a qualitative difference between memory functions in adults and children? Given the relevance of memory processes for virtually every aspect of everyday life and the complex interactions between memory development and general cognitive abilities, surprisingly little is known about memory abilities in childhood. In four experiments with children aged 6-12 years and young adults, the developmental trajectories of two separate mechanisms underlying recognition memory - familiarity and...