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Relationships among abilities in elderly adults: a time lag analysis.
Journal of Gerontology
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Relationships between fluid (Gf) and crystallized (Gc) intelligence abilities remained consistent across elderly cohorts tested years apart. While the overall structure of Gf/Gc abilities was stable, some unique variances differed between the 1975 and 1979 samples.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Previous research indicated stable relationships among crystallized (Gc) and fluid (Gf) intelligence abilities across cohorts when age is constant.
- Generational shifts in ability levels have been observed, prompting further investigation into the stability of underlying cognitive structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess time-lagged differences in the relationships among components of Gf/Gc in elderly adults.
- To investigate the consistency of the Gf/Gc factor structure across different cohorts.
Main Methods:
- Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to examine relationships among Gf/Gc abilities (induction, figural relations, verbal comprehension).
- Two independent samples of elderly adults tested in 1975 (n=54) and 1979 (n=50) were analyzed.
- Age ranges for the 1975 sample were 59-76 years (M=67.7), and for the 1979 sample were 55-82 years (M=69.4).
Main Results:
- A two-factor (Gf, Gc) model demonstrated commonality across both the 1975 and 1979 samples, supporting structural consistency.
- Significant differences in unique variances were detected between the two time-lagged samples.
- Weaker evidence suggested potential time-lagged differences in factor covariances.
Conclusions:
- The findings largely support prior research, indicating a consistent factor structure of Gf and Gc abilities across time and cohorts in older adults.
- Despite overall structural stability, observed differences in unique variances warrant further investigation into cohort effects on cognitive abilities.