Semantic verbal fluency in typically aged native Finnish speakers

Authors

• Niina Rinne Sivupersoona Oy
• Meri Hursti Sivupersoona Oy
• Anna-Maija Korpijaakko-Huuhka Tampere University
• Leena Rantala Tampere University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.112564

Keywords:

aging, language-cognitive skills, semantic verbal fluency, word search

Abstract

In this study, we examined how 30 elderly Finnish speakers of 80-92 years old performed in
a verbal fluency test. They were asked to name different animals for one minute. We counted
the number of correctly produced words, semantic categories, switches, repetitions, and words
falling outside the requested category. The performances were also evaluated in 15-second
increments. Age, gender and education were examined as possible correlates of verbal fluency.
The participants produced averagely 18.2 words, over half of them (65%) within the first 30
seconds. The younger participants (aged 80–84) produced a statistically significantly higher
number of correct words than the older participants. The speakers did not produce words
outside the requested category. The words grouped averagely into four semantic clusters
including on average 3.5 words. The average proportion of repetitions was 6.5%. The results
show that when evaluating the verbal fluency of people older than 80, special attention should
be paid to the following: number of words produced correctly, words produced outside the
requested category, and number and quality of repetitions.