Cognitive Stability in Old Age

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.