information:classification, structural:reformatting
Theories

Another theory that is being examined to explain age related declines in working memory is that there is a limit in attentional resources seen over age. This means that older individuals are less capable of dividing their attention between two tasks, and thus tasks with higher attentional demands are more difficult to complete due to a reduction in mental energy. Tasks that are simple and more automatic, however, see fewer declines from age. Working memory tasks often involve divided attention, thus they are more likely to strain the limited resources of aging individuals.