The cognitive aging literature documents in numerous studies the existence of significant age differences between younger and older adults in tests of episodic memory. Researchers have been investigating possible explanations for such differences. One hypothesis being tested is whether older adults hold different perceptions, attitudes and feelings towards memory that could affect performance negatively. Metamemory and self-efficacy are concepts that have been used in the test of this hypothesis. In the present research, a metamemory questionnaire (MIA), a self-efficacy questionnaire (MSEQ) and 4 versions of 2 episodic memory tasks (4 grocery lists and 4 short stories) were translated into Portuguese, adapted to Brazilian culture and submitted to validity testing with 33 younger and 27 older healthy Brazilian adults. The results from the analyses suggest that the Portuguese versions of these instruments have good psychometric characteristics and seem promising for research in this field in Brazil.
Metamemory; self-efficacy; episodic memory; aging
