Table 1.

Excerpts from different young and older adults categorized by step and detail type.

Task / Cue	Age	Relevant steps / Internal details	Other steps / External details
Problem solving / Plan a day trip (story cue)	Young	“I first gauge everyone’s interest in the trip… and decide on a day that fits in everyone’s schedule. Then I research the hiking trail we want to take… I go to the grocery store and buy snacks to take on the hike, such as granola, bananas, dried fruit, and energy drinks… I pack everything into the car…”	“Trip is planned…”
	Older	“Look into the train schedule having decided to go to Portsmouth… I get us some lunch food… inquire about a city bus tour…”	“The train ride is always pleasant…”
		Internal details	External details
Memory / Dancing (picture cue)	Young	“I had a [sorority] formal in November. I wore a beige/pale pink dress with a strapless sweetheart neckline and had rhinestones at the top. I had a date… who wore a dark gray suit with a plaid black and gray and white tie…”	“I joined… for one year and then quit…”
	Older	“A wedding I attended last January. People were dressed lovely, the music was great, and I danced the night away…”	“Kind of wish we could do this more often…”
Imagination / Museum (picture cue)	Young	“I am at the MET museum. After I have exited the classics exhibition and enjoyed all the statues… I would find myself sitting down… to check out Impressionist paintings. I would note the colors of the shadows… there would be guards looking for cameras…”	“When I was in high school I loved art, especially sculptures…”
	Older	“I got to the new exhibit at the MFA. I got there at 10:30am… off to the cafeteria for lunch… busy…”	“I like to go frequently… because too long there does not seem to suit me…”