Does the level at which cognitive change occurs change with age?
1Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA. salthouse@virginia.edu
Psychological Science
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Cognitive aging shows systematic decline, but this study found little age-related difference in how cognitive abilities and general factors contribute to change over time.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging adults experience cognitive decline.
- The specific mechanisms driving cognitive change across different adult ages are not well understood.
- Cognitive abilities are hierarchically structured.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in the hierarchical structure of cognitive change.
- To differentiate contributions to cognitive change from specific abilities versus a general cognitive factor across the adult lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design.
- Analysis of hierarchical cognitive abilities.
- Statistical modeling to assess cross-time associations at different hierarchical levels.
Main Results:
- The pattern of influences on cognitive change varied across different cognitive abilities.
- Little to no significant age differences were observed in the relative contributions to change from specific abilities versus a general factor.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive change in adulthood may operate through similar hierarchical mechanisms regardless of age.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the nuances of cognitive aging across the lifespan.
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,...
01:24Revisionist 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.
01:17Cognitivism
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
01:25Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the role of thinking in a child's learning process, suggesting that children are naturally curious about their environment. His approach to development is discontinuous, proposing that cognitive abilities progress through distinct stages, each with unique characteristics. Central to Piaget's theory is schemata—mental structures that allow individuals to understand and interpret the world.
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...