Increasing numbers of cognitive psychologists and neuropsychologists are moving beyond the laboratory and attempting to understand human cognitive abilities as they are manifest in natural contexts. This volume offers a comprehensive overview of research on “everyday” cognition in the adult phases of the life course by integrating theoretical and methodological issues in everydaycognition research with findings in real-life situations. In this manner, this book will outline for the reader theoretical and methodological trade-offs and dilemmas along the continuum between laboratory research and naturalistic or real-world research.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I addresses fundamental conceptual issues in everyday-cognition research. The first five chapters outline competing theoretical reasons for choosing different approaches in cognitive studies. The next four chapters provide examples of research combining laboratory and realworld strategies.

Part II reviews findings on everyday cognitive behaviors. These chapters concentrate on the everyday cognitive behaviors of adults from early to late adulthood. The first eleven chapters in Part II review and summarize findings from a wide assortment of everyday cognitive activities, and the last six chapters examine the major concomitant factors that could influence the observed outcomes. Whenever possible, generalizations between classic experimental and real-world stimuli and techniques are contrasted.

Part III concentrates on applications of findings in everyday cognition to cognitive-enhancement procedures in everyday and clinical situations. The first two chapters after the introduction review models and theories associated with compensation and remediation.