Age-related changes in cognitive functions

Question 1

What are the biological factors behind cognitive function changes?

Answer 1

A natural atrophy of neurons, white matter, that is considered to be a part of typical aging. Also losses in executive functions

Question 2

MacPherson et al., wanted to tap into executive functioning using the wisconsin card sorting task, what was their finding?

Answer 2

No difference between middle aged and young people but a sig difference from old people

Question 3

What is the flynn effect generally?

Answer 3

Intelligence tests are going up each decade. Flynn effect is that IQ scores have been consistently going up by the decade. Younger people score higher than elderly.

Question 4

What are 4 points about the flynn effect

Answer 4

i. Substantial gains for Gf & Gc
ii. Stronger gains for Gf than for Gc
iii. Decreasing gains in recent decades
iv. Biggest gains in industrialized cultures

Question 5

1. Prosperity
2. Education
3. Technology
4. Test-taking behaviour
5. Hybrid vigour
6. Blood lead levels
7. Nutrition
8. Pathogen stress
9. Life history speed

are all proposed mechanisms of …

Answer 5

the flynn effect

Question 6

To summarize, what accounts for age differences in intelligence?

Answer 6

o Normal biological aging processes

o Sociocultural factors of all kinds