Abstract: Processing speed theory is one of the theories trying to explain the relation between age and recognition aging, and it is one of the hotspots of later-year psychology researches. This article reviewed the researches on processing speed theory from four aspects: the theory, the experimental design, the test and the statistic method. Based on the expatiation on the theory, it introduced the criterion of test choosing, and the staple tests and statistic methods. The author believes that to do a successful research must comprehend the theory deeply, design the experiments carefully, choose proper tests and use appropriate statistic methods.

Key words: processing speed, intervening variable, systematic relations analyses, structural equation model.