Cognitive Stability in Old Age
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Questions and Answers

What is tacit knowledge?

  • Experience-based know-how that is hard to articulate (correct)
  • Knowledge that is only applicable in theory
  • Information learned in a classroom setting
  • Knowledge that can be easily written down
  • 77% of UK employers believe that older workers' retirement does not result in a loss of valuable knowledge and skills.

    False (B)

    Name one factor associated with maintaining cognition in older age.

    Good physical health

    Higher levels of ______ are linked to better cognitive outcomes in older age.

    <p>education</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following lifestyle factors to their cognitive benefits:

    <p>Regular exercise = Improves blood flow to the brain Engaging in complex jobs = Promotes cognitive flexibility Bilingualism = Enhances brain function Higher education = Provides cognitive reserve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods can organizations use to retain the knowledge of older workers?

    <p>Implement mentorship programs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cognitive reserve helps to mitigate the effects of aging on brain function.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Good physical health reduces the risk of ______ decline.

    <p>cognitive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of Disengagement Theory regarding older adults?

    <p>Psychological withdrawal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Older adults showing a preference for emotional goals over future-oriented ones is in line with Activity Theory.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of knowledge provides older adults with better occupational decisions?

    <p>Tacit knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to ___ Theory, older adults strive to maintain social interaction by substituting new roles.

    <p>Activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the theories with their main ideas:

    <p>Disengagement Theory = Social and psychological withdrawal enhances life satisfaction Activity Theory = Striving to maintain social roles through substitution Both Theories = Contributions to social interaction in older adulthood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do older adults experience a high level of life satisfaction according to Disengagement Theory?

    <p>Their withdrawal meets societal approval (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Contemporary researchers fully support Activity Theory in its original form.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do older adults typically gain that improves their social problem-solving skills?

    <p>Accumulated tacit knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What cognitive advantage do bilingual individuals possess?

    <p>Stronger executive functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Having a negative attitude towards aging is associated with better cognitive outcomes.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does a low perception of control have on older adults' health?

    <p>It is linked to declines in memory and physical health.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Individuals with a positive view of aging tend to have better _____ and greater physical ability.

    <p>memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following attitudes with their effects on cognitive health:

    <p>Positive attitude towards aging = Better memory and physical ability Negative stereotypes about aging = Decline in mental health Sense of control = Proactive health behaviors Stereotype-busting attitudes = Improved cognitive functioning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a consequence of negative stereotypes about aging?

    <p>Engagement in cognitive enrichment activities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Embracing new hobbies and technology can have a negative effect on cognitive health.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What proactive steps can individuals take to enhance cognitive health as they age?

    <p>Staying active and engaging in preventive health behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Tacit Knowledge

    Practical, experience-based know-how, difficult to articulate or teach formally.

    Knowledge Drain

    Loss of valuable knowledge and skills when older workers leave the workforce.

    Maintaining Cognitive Function

    Factors contributing to keeping your mind sharp as you age.

    Good Physical Health

    Physical health is crucial for a healthy mind as you age.

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    Good Education

    Higher levels of education enhance cognitive abilities.

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    Complex Job

    Mental challenge promotes cognitive flexibility and problem-solving.

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    Bilingualism

    Speaking two languages strengthens brain function in old age.

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    Reimagining Retirement

    Creating options for older workers to stay in or re-enter the workforce in a flexible manner.

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    Cognitive Resilience in Bilinguals

    Bilingual individuals tend to have better ability to recover from cognitive challenges and a lower risk of dementia.

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    Executive Functions & Bilingualism

    Skills like attention and working memory are improved by switching between languages.

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    Positive Ageing Attitudes

    Viewing aging as a natural part of life, leading to better cognitive and physical health.

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    Sense of Control & Cognition

    A strong sense of control over one's life is linked to better memory and physical health, encouraging proactive measures.

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    Negative Ageing Stereotypes

    Negative beliefs about aging can cause prejudice and discourage healthy habits, which negatively impacts cognitive health.

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    Stereotype-Busting Attitudes

    Embracing change, new hobbies, technology, and different ways of thinking improves cognitive health in older adults.

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    Cognitive Health & Life Expectancy

    Positive attitudes towards aging and a sense of control positively affects life expectancy and encourages preventative health measures.

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    Proactive Steps for Cognitive Health

    Taking proactive steps like staying active, seeking medical care, and employing memory aids helps maintain cognitive health.

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    Disengagement Theory

    Suggests that older adults voluntarily withdraw from social roles in middle age, and society also withdraws from them, leading to mutual benefit.

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    Activity Theory

    Older adults maintain social interaction by replacing lost roles with new ones to achieve high life satisfaction.

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    Limited Time Perception

    Older adults may perceive time as more limited compared to younger adults, impacting social and emotional goals.

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    Emotional Goals

    Prioritizing emotional connections and relationships are more important when time is perceived as short, as seen in later life.

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    Social Partners

    Familiar social partners, close relationships, become more vital when time is limited.

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    Social Problem Solving

    Improving skills related to handling social situations, important for better outcomes in later life.

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    Occupational Decisions

    Older adults may make better professional decisions due to accumulated knowledge and improved social problem solving skills.

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    Study Notes

    Cognitive Stability in Old Age

    • Ageing affects cognitive abilities differently, some are maintained or improved, while others may decline.
    • Cognitive abilities are not uniformly affected; certain areas are spared, and others decline. This is a varied pattern, not a blanket decline.
    • Ageing is a multidimensional process; some cognitive processes remain stable, others improve, or decline. Examples include episodic memory weakening, while crystallised intelligence (vocabulary and general knowledge) often improves or remains stable.
    • It is incorrect to view aging as a single pathway of inevitable decline; it is a complex interaction of factors. Many older adults maintain high cognitive abilities in areas like problem-solving, verbal abilities and expertise.
    • Maintaining cognitive function is linked to good physical health. Regular exercise improves brain health and reduces risks of cognitive decline.
    • Maintaining healthy lifestyle choices, like managing chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes) protects against ageing brain deterioration.
    • Education and higher education levels correlate with better cognitive outcomes. Education provides cognitive reserve, mitigating ageing effects.
    • Complex job roles and mental demands promote cognitive flexibility and problem-solving, strengthening neural pathways and maintaining cognitive abilities.
    • Bilingualism demonstrably enhances cognitive resilience and reduces dementia risk. Constant language switching strengthens executive functions like attention and working memory.

    Factor Theories of Intelligence

    • Spearman's (1904) theory proposes two components of intelligence:
      • General intelligence (g-factor): A universal cognitive ability affecting all tasks.
      • Specific intelligence (s-factor): Skill specific to certain tasks; independent of the g-factor.
    • Horn and Cattell (1967) build on this, differentiating:
      • Fluid intelligence: Innate capacity to think logically, solve new problems, adapt to new situations without reliance on previous knowledge (impaired by age).
      • Crystallized intelligence: Accumulated knowledge, facts, and skills through learning, experience, education; remains stable (or improves) (spared by age).
    • Age differently effects fluid v's crystallised intelligence; skills that are used frequently tend to remain stable.

    Impaired Cognitive Abilities in Ageing

    • Fluid intelligence typically declines in middle adulthood, affecting speed processing working memory and flexibility, which are critical for complex tasks.
    • Short term memory declines more obviously with age, as seen through difficulties remembering new information.
    • Working memory, the ability to hold information mentally for a short time, weakens with age.
    • Older adults often have trouble switching between tasks (cognitive flexibility) or paying attention to multiple details (selective attention).

    Spared Cognitive Abilities in Ageing

    • Crystallized intelligence (vocabulary, knowledge, cultural understanding) usually remains stable or improves as people age.
    • Practical problem-solving abilities (applying past experiences) often improve with age.
    • Experience-based knowledge and wisdom deepen, allowing older adults to understand societal dynamics.

    Maintaining Cognitive Function in Older Adults

    • Positive attitudes towards ageing positively correlate to cognitive function and memory.
    • Feeling more in control leads to better cognitive outcomes
    • Older adults utilise external aids like reminders, calendars, and alarms to support prospective memory (remembering future events or tasks).
    • Automatic processes, such as typing or driving improve and become more automatic with practice.
    • Familiar contexts enable older adults to draw on pre-existing skills and knowledge.
    • Recognition memory is generally well-preserved in older age (recognising familiar faces or objects).
    • Extensive experience, tacit knowledge and expertise increase over time and enhance processing of complex social / professional scenarios.

    Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

    • Individuals prioritize emotionally meaningful relationships and social interactions as their perceived time horizon shortens (older age).
    • Older adults tend to focus on emotional regulation, prioritizing positive emotional experiences over quantity of interactions.

    Disengagement Theory

    • Older adults naturally withdraw from their roles in society and their social interactions.
    • This withdrawal is mutual; society often expects them to step aside to make way for younger individuals.
    • This Theory is regarded by contemporary researchers as a limited framework.

    Activity Theory

    • Older adults maintain their activity levels (or find new ways to stay active) to maintain their social interactions and a sense of purpose.
    • Older adults may substitute lost roles to maintain their overall activity level.

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    Description

    This quiz explores how cognitive abilities change with aging. It examines the various factors that can influence cognitive stability and decline in older adults, highlighting the multidimensionality of this process. Participants will gain insights into how certain cognitive skills may improve or remain stable across different individuals.

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