Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Young and older adults' strategies in complex arithmetic
Patrick Lemaire1, Laurence Arnaud
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Provence, and Institut Universitaire de France. lemaire@up.univ-mrs.fr
The American Journal of Psychology
|April 29, 2008
Summary
Older adults use fewer strategies for complex addition, showing age-related differences in strategy execution and selection. This research explores cognitive aging and arithmetic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Complex arithmetic problem-solving is crucial for daily functioning.
- Understanding age-related cognitive changes is vital for supporting older adults.
- Previous research indicates potential declines in cognitive abilities with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in strategy repertoire and selection for complex addition.
- To analyze how young and older adults execute and choose strategies.
- To explore the implications of strategic variations in arithmetic during aging.
Main Methods:
- Participants: Young and older adults.
- Task: Solving complex addition problems (e.g., 49 + 56).
- Data Collection: Verbal protocols, solution times, and error rates to document strategy use.
Main Results:
- Both age groups utilized a repertoire of 9 strategies.
- Older adults often employed a smaller range of strategies compared to younger adults.
- Significant age-related differences were observed in strategy execution and selection.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive aging impacts the repertoire and selection of strategies in complex arithmetic.
- Variations in strategy use contribute to age-related differences in performance.
- Findings enhance understanding of cognitive processes in aging and arithmetic.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:17Piaget's Stage 3 of Cognitive Development
During Piaget's concrete operational stage, from ages 7 to 11, children exhibit a marked increase in logical thinking skills, specifically in relation to tangible, real-world events. This stage is characterized by the development of several essential cognitive concepts, including conservation, reversibility, and classification, all of which support the child's evolving capacity for structured thought.
Conservation and Constancy of Quantity
A significant cognitive milestone in the concrete...
Conservation and Constancy of Quantity
A significant cognitive milestone in the concrete...
01:19Piaget's Stage 4 of Cognitive Development
The formal operational stage, as described in Piaget's cognitive development theory, begins around age 11 and extends into adulthood. It marks the emergence of advanced cognitive abilities that differentiate adolescent and adult thinking from those of younger children. This stage is characterized by abstract reasoning, hypothetical-deductive reasoning, and a more complex understanding of self and others.
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
01:30Arithmetic Sequences
An arithmetic sequence is a structured arrangement of numbers where each term is derived by adding a constant value, known as the common difference, to the previous term. This consistent pattern allows for the efficient computation of any term within the sequence as well as the cumulative sum of multiple terms. The formula for finding the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is:Here, aₙ represents the nth term of the sequence, a is the first term, d is the common difference, and n is the term...
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.
01:29Complex Numbers
The real number system cannot represent the square root of a negative number, which restricts solutions for certain equations, such as quadratics with negative discriminants. To address this, the complex number system was developed, introducing the imaginary unit i, where i = √(-1). This extension allows for the representation of all roots, including those involving negative radicands.A complex number is written in the form x + yi, where x and y are real numbers. Here, x represents the real...