ABSTRACT
Throughout the first six chapters of this book, the discussion has mainly focused on TOTs in normal adults. Most of the data discussed so far has been drawn from younger adults, mostly students in introductory psychology courses. It is now time to consider developmental and neuropsychological perspectives on TOTs, concentrating on TOTs in “special” populations. TOTs among older adults, children, and neuropsychological patients are instructive for several reasons. Naturally, it is important to understand cognitive processes in each of these populations. It is also important to understand the development of TOT etiology and phenomenology. Beyond that, each group may offer insights into both the nature of lexical theory and the nature of monitoring and control processes. In this chapter, I first consider the literature on TOTs and aging, primarily because it is the most extensive and well-articulated. Following discussion of TOTs and aging, I discuss the limited research on TOTs in children and the limited literature on TOTs and neuropsychological patients.
