This study focused on adult age differences in the organizational processes of memory as measured by performance (number of words recalled) and subject imposed organization (SO) of information. Thirty males in each of three age groups (16-19, 30-39, 45-54) underwent 16 inspection trials and 16 recall trails on an experimental list of 22 unrelated two syllable words. They had a maximum of 120 seconds to write down as many words as possible. They were questioned afterwards as to how they recalled the words. An attempt was also made to manipulate SO by standard free recall instructions, instructions to organize recalled words without reference to specific methods, and instructions to recall words alphabetically. The youngest subjects recalled slightly (but significantly) more words than others. Subjects in differing conditions differed in numbers of words recalled correctly, but the effect varied over trials. This was because the alphabetical condition had proved superior to other conditions after the first few trials. SO measures correlated significantly with free recall performance and with use of alphabetical recall, but no real age differences emerged. (LY)