IntelligenceMemory

Intelligence

True or False? Researchers no longer see cognitive abilities of older people as inevitably declining

Intelligence in Older People Older research studies and findings Notion that older people become less cognitively adept initially arose from misinterpretations of research evidence Problems Cohort effects Reaction time components Retesting effects Subject attrition

Recent Conclusions about Nature of Intelligence in Older People Schaie: Sequential methods Some abilities gradually decline; others stay relatively steady On average, some cognitive declines are found in all abilities by age 67, but they are minimal until the 80s There are also significant individual differences No uniform pattern of age-related changes across all intellectual abilities Environmental and cultural factors play a role

Changes in Intellectual Functioning Although some intellectual abilities decline across adulthood, others stay relatively steady.

Environmental Factors Certain environmental and cultural factors are related to greater or lesser degrees of intellectual decline Lesser declines are associated with many factors

Although some intellectual abilities gradually decline throughout adulthood, starting at around age 25, others stay relatively steady. For example, research shows that while fluid intelligence declines with age, crystallized intelligence remains steady, and may even improve, in late adulthood. The intellect retains considerable plasticity and can be maintained with stimulation, practice, and motivation.

One problem with conducting cross-sectional research on aging and cognition is that this method does not take into consideration ___________, the influences attributable to growing up in a particular era. a. genetic effects b. environmental effects c. cohort effects d. religious effects

Based on the sequential study of aging and cognition conducted by Schaie (1994), there is no uniform pattern in adulthood of age-related change across all intellectual abilities. True False

Not all developmentalists believe in the “use it or lose it” hypothesis. For example, Salthouse suggests that the rate of true, underlying cognitive decline in late adulthood is unaffected by mental exercise, and the lack of decline is a function of a larger cognitive reserve. True False

Do you think steady or increasing crystallized intelligence can partially or fully compensate for declines in fluid intelligence? Why or why not?

Memory

Memory: Remembrance of Things Past – and Present Episodic memorySemantic memoryShort-term memory

Decline and Stability Age-related memory declines are limited primarily to episodic memories Semantic memories and implicit memories are largely unaffected by age Memory loss is not as common among Chinese elderly as it is in the West. What are some factors that contribute to cultural differences in memory loss of the elderly?

Autobiographical Memory: Recalling the Days of Our Lives Autobiographical memory –Pollyanna principle –Recall of material that "fits" current self-view –Particular periods of life are remembered more easily than others

Remembrances of Things Past Recall of autobiographical memories varies with age, with 70-year-olds recalling details from their 20s and 30s best, and 50-year-olds recalling memories from their teenage years and 20s. People of both ages also recall more recent memories best of all. Source: Rubin, 1986

Explaining Memory Changes in Old Age Explanations for apparent changes in memory among older people tend to focus on three main categories Environmental factors Information processing deficits Biological factors

Environmental Factors Certain environmental and cultural factors are related to greater or lesser degrees of intellectual decline Lesser declines are associated with many factors

Information-Processing Deficits Inability to inhibit irrelevant information and thoughts declines Speed of processing declines Attention declines Less efficient retrieval methods

Biological Factors Brain and body deterioration Especially frontal lobes Some studies also show deterioration of hippocampus

It’s Never Too Late… Continuation of education in old age can improve cognitive skills Intellectual growth and change continue throughout people’s lives Older adults often have no trouble maintaining their standing in rigorous college classes

Logging on Late in Life One of the biggest generational divides involves the use of technology. People 65 and older are far less likely to use technology than younger individuals. They are less interested and motivated because less likely to be working or need technology for job.

Declines in memory affect mainly episodic memories and short-term memory. Explanations of memory changes in old age have focused on environmental factors, information processing declines, and biological factors.

When it comes to autobiographical memories, older individuals, like younger individuals, follow the ______________, in that they are more likely to remember pleasant memories. a. saliency effect b. environmental effect c. Pollyanna principle d. positive effect

Explanations for changes in memory tend to focus on three main categories: environmental factors, biological factors, and ____________. a. social support b. life changes c. information processing deficits d. personal influences

Despite concerns about memory and intellectual capabilities, older adults have no trouble maintaining their standing in rigorous college classes. True False

How might cultural factors, such as the esteem in which a society holds its older members, work to affect an older person’s memory performance?