PSYC 210CHAPTER 24 NOTESIntellectual Changes in Information Processing- Researchers show that beyond the age of 60 adults begin to show significant declines in five mental abilities. - Verbal meaning - Spatial orientation - Reasoning - Number ability - Word fluency - Variability in intellectual ability from person to person is even greater in later life than it was earlier. - Implicit memory is automatic, unconscious memory (habits, emotional responses, routineprocedures). - Explicit memory is conscious memory for words, data and concepts.Reasons for age related changes- Primary reasons: Neurophysiological and biological changes. - Secondary reasons: diminished learning opportunities, disparaging self-perceptions. - Brain cells begin to die after the age of 60. - The slowing of the brain means that thinking becomes slower and simpler. - The rate at which thinking slows with age can be reduced with regular exercise.Dementia- Dementia refers to severely impaired judgment, memory or problem-solving abilities. - Dementia can be caused by fifty diseases and circumstances. It is hard to pinpoint cause. - Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. The cerebral cortex becomes coveredwith plaques and tangles that destroy normal brain functioning. - Early onset Alzheimer's (during middle age) moves faster 3-5 years. (Probably caused by genetic abnormality). - Late occurrence is more gradual in its development....10-15 years. - Ages 65+ 1 in 100 get Alzheimer’s - Ages 85+ 1 in 5 have Alzheimer’s Page 1 of 2PSYC 210- Stokes is responsible for 15 percent of dementia cases. - Parkinson's disease often produces dementia.Page 2 of
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