Final answer:
Older adults often take longer to retrieve semantic information from their memory, but they usually can retrieve it, including both recent and past events. Semantic memory and encoding, and the self-reference effect are factors that influence this aspect of memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between semantic memory and aging suggests that although older adults may take longer to retrieve semantic information, they typically are able to do so. The correct answer to the question is therefore 'A. Older adults often take longer to retrieve semantic information, but they usually can retrieve it.'
This ability to retrieve semantic information includes both recent and past events and is not limited to only information relevant to their day-to-day lives. Semantic memory is a type of declarative memory that includes knowledge about words, concepts, and language-based knowledge and facts. Factors like the self-reference effect, wherein individuals remember information better when it relates to themselves, can enhance memory. Additionally, semantic encoding, which focuses on the meaning of words, has been shown to create stronger memory traces.
Aspects such as retrieval, semantic encoding, and spreading activation within semantic networks play a crucial role in how well an older individual can access their semantic memory. While older adults may experience cognitive slowing and potential degenerative effects in the brain that affect memory, they typically maintain the ability to retrieve semantic memories.