1/16/2012. Intelligence. Intelligence

Transcription

1 !! Intelligence Intelligence: the global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with his environment (Wechsler, 1939). g: general intellectual capacity. Intelligence Age Changes in Overall Intelligence Cross-sectional studies: gradual decline in IQ from age 30. Longitudinal data: maintenance of overall IQ age 60, after which there is a decline. Age Changes in Components of Intelligence Crystallized intelligence: rises or shows stability into the 70s. Fluid intelligence: begins to decline earlier. 1

2 : ability to retain or store information and retrieve it when needed. Most adults over 65 report declines in memory functioning. 2

3 Sensory memory: information picked up by the senses and briefly processed Declines in sensory systems can cause deficits at all memory levels. Short-term memory: information held for 30 seconds. Primary memory information is passively stored for immediate recall. Shows only small age-related declines. Working memory actively performing mental operations on information. Shows substantial declines with age. Long-term memory: encoded information is stored and can remain for years. Semantic memory: stored facts. Relatively stable with the exception of word-finding errors. Episodic memory: ability to recall events. Shows declines that can be improved with environmental support. 3

4 Procedural memory: skill learning and retention. Implicit memory processes: well-learned, automatic mental processes. Explicit memory: conscious, effortful process of recalling details of events. Generally, there is little change in procedural memory over time. Reversing Declines Internal memory aids External memory aids Real World Cognition Practical Problem Solving Situations that require everyday, concrete, complex thinking. Younger adults do better on traditional problem solving tasks. Increases until 40 or 50 and then begins to decline. Judgment and Decision Making Human Factors Research Medical Instructions Driving Personal Computers and the Internet 4

5 Health Genetics Demographics Schooling Intellectual Activity Physical Exercise Subjective Evaluation of Decline Health Poor health can affect cognition. Declines in vision and hearing are related to declines in IQ scores. Common cause hypothesis Chronic diseases Terminal decline Medication 5

6 Genetics Cognitive abilities are among the most heritable of behavioral traits. Genetics explain 60 percent of individual differences in general cognitive ability. Demographics and Sociobiographical History Women have slight advantage over men in episodic memory, verbal tasks, and maintaining brain weight. Sociobiological history (level of professional prestige, social position, and income). Rate of cognitive decline the same regardless sociobiological history. Schooling Formal education predicts the rate of cognitive decline with age. 6

7 Intellectual Activity Adults who read books, take classes, travel, etc. seem to fare better intellectually over time particularly in terms of crystallized intelligence. Physical Exercise Causal link between physical exercise and intellectual skill. Exercise helps maintain cardiovascular fitness, which is linked to mental maintenance. Subjective Evaluation of Decline Strong relationship between age and subjective reports of cognitive decline. However, there is not a relationship between subjective report and actual decline. 7