Gerontology October 24 2012 Cognitive Functioning Personality Intelligence Wisdom What is Personality Psychological organization of the individual as a whole features that distinguish the individual from others Internal characteristics or qualities External behavior Personality Research Is personality stable over the lifespan How much is influenced by internal vs external forces Five Factor Model of Personality Costa McCrae 1 Neuroticism anxiety self consciousness 2 Extraversion warmth excitement seeking 3 Openness openness to ideas values etc 4 Agreeableness tender mindedness compliance 5 Conscientiousness orderliness self discipline Is personality a Stable Characteristic Longitudinal Studies suggest Stability in rank order for Neuroticism extraversion and openness What life experiences if any do you think might contribute to changes in your personality Yes Mean level changes Most change between 20 40 Evidence suggest we can for the better What accounts for change Life experience adult role transitions Cognitive Functioning Difficult to define measure intellectual ability Primary mental abilities PMAs Thurstone s Primary Mental Abilities Theory Spatial ability perceptual speed numerical ability verbal meaning word fluency memory reasoning Fluid vs Crystallized Intelligence Fluid Intelligence Ability to reason abstractly Independent of experience or learning Ex Spatial orientation abstract reasoning Crystallized Intelligence Accumulated information verbal skills Acquired through education and experience Ex Verbal meaning word association How does intelligence change with age Depends on the type of intellectual ability No such thing as universal decline in intelligence Do NOT experience irreversible biologically based declines in our intellectual functioning Different abilities change at different rates Age and Intelligence How intelligence appears to change with age also depends on the study design we use to study intellectual abilities Cross sectional Study age differences Longitudinal Study age changes over time Age and Intellectual Abilities Problems with cross sectional studies Cross sectional studies show decline earlier than longitudinal studies Differences due to cohort effects Differ not only in age but also in education life experiences health etc Fluid vs Crystallized Intelligence Fluid abilities speed working memory etc Declines earlier beginning in 60s Crystallized abilities verbal social knowledge etc Decline later vary when decline begins Influences on Test Performance Factors that lower test scores may lead us to underestimate older adult s intellectual abilities 1 Physical Health Being physically fit well rest better scores 2 Experience with standardized testing Lack of experience poor scores 3 Sensory deficits Vision hearing Trouble understanding instructions and 4 Speed coordination mobility Time limits slow processing speed 5 Attitudes toward testing situation Test anxiety lack of confidence fear of failure lack of motivation task relevance 6 Education level Higher education associated with staying intellectually 7 Personality Self efficacy Belief in ability to be successful 8 Cognitively challenging environment Complex demanding work doing tasks worse scores younger environment Use it or Lose it Physical Activity Physical exercise keeps the brain young Mental Aerobics Any mental activity that exercise the brain Ex Crossword puzzles brain teasers Sudoko Social Interactions Time spent with friends family volunteering etc Cognitive Training Can you teach an old dog new tricks Abilities can be maintained or regained Cognitive training less decline Emphasize lifelong mental exercise Wisdom Wisdom is well intentioned advice or judgment Does wisdom come with age The answer is complicated First not all older adults would be considered wise Researchers find evidence of wisdom in adults of all ages Wisdom seems to be related to life experience How do you study wisdom What makes someone wise General personal conditions specific conditions An individual s mental ability Experience with life mentoring or practice Facilitative life contexts Educational or leadership experience Integration of affect Empathy compassion and cognition
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