Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
10:58
Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics BM-PROMA
Published on: August 28, 2021
5.1K
Age Differences in Adaptive Decision Making: The Role of Numeracy
Yiwei Chen1, Jiaxi Wang1, Robert M Kirk1
1Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA.
Educational Gerontology
|December 30, 2014
Summary
Older adults show lower decision-making skills and numeracy. Declined numeric abilities may contribute to poorer adaptive decision making in older populations, impacting public policy.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Adaptive decision making is crucial for navigating life complexities.
- Age-related cognitive changes can impact decision-making abilities.
- Numeracy, or quantitative reasoning, may play a role in decision quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in adaptive decision making.
- To determine if numeracy mediates the relationship between age and decision making.
- To understand the influence of numeric ability on older adults' choices.
Main Methods:
- Participants: 46 younger adults (18-24) and 37 older adults (61-89).
- Measures: Cups task for adaptive decision making, Numeracy Scale for numeric ability.
- Analysis: Compared Expected Value sensitivity (probability x outcome) between age groups and tested mediation by numeracy.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited significantly lower Expected Value sensitivity compared to younger adults.
- Older adults scored significantly lower on the Numeracy Scale than younger adults.
- Numeracy partially mediated the association between age and adaptive decision making.
Conclusions:
- Age-related decline in adaptive decision making may be partly explained by reduced numeracy.
- Findings suggest potential benefits of numeracy education for older adults.
- Implications for public policy regarding older adults' financial and health decisions.
More Related Videos
10:13Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
14.3K
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
10.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:37Reason and Intuition
7.8K
The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the...
7.8K
01:20Decision Making
1.3K
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
1.3K
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
441
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...
441
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
5.9K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
5.9K
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
1.3K
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,...
1.3K
01:25The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic
7.9K
In order to make good decisions, we use our knowledge and our reasoning. Often, this knowledge and reasoning is sound and solid. However, sometimes, we are swayed by biases or by others manipulating a situation. For example, let’s say you and three friends wanted to rent a house and had a combined target budget of $1,600. The realtor shows you only very run-down houses for $1,600 and then shows you a very nice house for $2,000. Might you ask each person to pay more in rent to get the...
7.9K