1. How do cognitive abilities change over time?
What method can be used to answer this question?
Different age groups once
Confounding Variable: Cohort Effect
Cross-Sectional Study
Same age group tested over time
Issue: Mortality Effect
Longitudinal Study
K. Warner Schaie-Seattle Longitudinal Study of Cognitive Ability
Measured IQ of 5,000 participants (ages 20-80)
Retested 7 years later
Cross Sequential Resampling Design

2. Past Research Suggests…
Unless impaired by Alzheimer’s or other brain disorders…
Cognitive abilities decline between early adulthood & old age.
May remain “robust” into old age
Crystallized Intelligence
Most likely to decline in the following areas:
Working Memory
Processing Speed
Organization
Flexibility
Control of Attention
Fluid Intelligence

3. Brain Training?
Good diet and exercise habits reduce the likelihood you'll develop high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, all of which can decrease blood flow to your brain.
Tobacco use generates free radicals that impair the message transfer process (neuron to neuron) within the brain.
Abuse of alcohol not only impairs the message transfer process in the same manner as smoking, but also causes the destruction of brain cells.
Stress causes your body to pump out increased levels of the hormone cortisol. Excessive cortisol levels can lead to the destruction of neurons in the hippocampus (the learning and memory center of the brain).
Practice: Crossword puzzles, brain teasers, etc.

4. Giftedness Definition Measurement Criticism
People who show remarkably high levels of accomplishment
Individuals classified as “gifted” tend to…
Live longer
Make more money
Graduate from H.S. & College
Measurement
School achievement, aptitude & intelligence tests
Criticism
Predicting academic potential should not be done through a single measure.

5. Mental Impairment (Retardation)
Definition
IQ score is less than 70 AND…
Lack skills in daily living & communication
Causes: Genetic
Down Syndrome (IQ range: )
Fragile X Syndrome
PKU: Body creates toxins out of food
Causes:
Environmental
Rubella, Meningitis
Alcohol
Oxygen Deprivation during birth
Brain Injuries/Tumors

7. Fragile X
Return

8. Learning Disabilities
Definition
Individuals who show discrepancy b/w measured intelligence & academic performance.
Show problems in reading, writing, math.
Diagnosis
Often seen in individuals w/average or above average IQ scores.
Da Vinci & Edison
Several steps taken to reach a conclusive diagnosis
Effectiveness of mainstreaming?
Types
Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Dysphasia