In older adults, what type of memory shows minimal decline compared to another type?

Recognition memory typically shows minimal decline in older adults compared to free recall. Recognition refers to the ability to identify previously encountered information, often aided by cues, while free recall requires retrieving information without any prompts. Research in cognitive aging has demonstrated that older adults tend to perform fairly well on recognition tasks, as these tasks provide cues that can trigger memory retrieval. In contrast, free recall tends to decline more significantly with age, as it relies more heavily on the individual's ability to spontaneously retrieve information without assistance.

This pattern suggests that the cues provided in recognition tasks help mitigate some of the age-related declines in memory function, making it easier for older adults to recognize familiar information than to recall it independently. Therefore, the assertion that recognition shows minimal decline while free recall shows greater decline accurately reflects findings in the field of cognitive aging.