A2: Intellectual Development

Question 1

What does intellectual and cognitive development mean?

Answer 1

• the way individuals organise and sort their ideas to make sense of the world

Question 2

What 5 aspects can these be sorted in to?

Answer 2

• language development
• problem solving
• memory
• moral development
• abstract thoughts and creative thinking

Question 3

What happens as an individual processes through the various developmental stages?

Answer 3

• intellectual and cognitive ability increases

Question 4

How does intellectual and cognitive ability increase in infancy and early childhood?

Answer 4

• rapid intellectual development
• 90% of brain connections in place by 5 years old

Question 5

How does intellectual and cognitive ability increase in adolescence and early adulthood?

Answer 5

• development of logical thoughts, problem solving and memory skills
• can make judgements based on logical and realistic thinking

Question 6

How does intellectual and cognitive ability increase in middle adulthood?

Answer 6

• can think through experiences
• can make sound judgements based on logical and realistic thinking

Question 7

How does intellectual and cognitive ability increase in later adulthood?

Answer 7

• changes in the brain cause short-term memory to decline
• slower thought processes and reaction times