The present study compared young and elderly adults as to their performance in the IGT. The sample was comprised of 72 individuals, distributed into two age groups: 36 young adults (M = 29.86, SD = 4.63) and 36 older adults (M = 66.89, SD = 5.19). considering the calculation-based score (mental), there was no difference between the groups as the choice of the cards (p = 0.60). However, there was significant difference as to the learning processes (p = 0.026). There was no significant difference when considering the score based on frequency (punishment), neither as to the choice of cards (p = 0.48), nor as to the learning process (p = 0.076). The results corroborate previous studies, which do not consider age as a factor that influences IGT performance. The scores analysis might have a strong influence on the understanding of the choice behavior, in addition to aspects relative to sample composition.
Decision making; Aging; Learning processes; Choice behavior