PSY 3128 Lecture 8: Theories of Cognitive Ageing
5 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Four Theories of Cognitive Aging
Processing Speed (Salthouse); general slowing of cognitive and neural systems may account for
age-related memory loss. Simple reaction time correlated with memory and reasoning. Slower
minds and a decrease in mental operations can not do as much as younger counterparts.
Cognitive Resources (Craik): smaller pool of cognitive resources leads to older adults to process
information less efficiently, deeply. Mental energy – being tired after a long day, may also
effect performance or become more prominent in older age.
Neurological Theories
Frontal Lobe Function: there is a decline of frontal lobe function that is greater than others.
Older adults look similar in character, although not necessarily in magnitude.
Common Cause/Differentiation (Baltes): there is a reduction in sensory, perceptual, and
cognitive linked to increased correlations among these tasks. There are more brain connections
used for tasks than would be seen in younger people.
Integrating biological influences into cognitive models (Anderson and Craik, 2000) Figure.
Normal Aging: Cheryl Grandy Model (Figure 2)
Things to keep in mind when conducting cognitive aging research.
- Sensory perceptual decline can masquerade as, or drive, cognitive difficulties.
- There is high frequency hearing loss
- Straining and monitoring to make sure you are hearing or seeing properly takes
mental energy which can no longer be devoted to other cognitive operations such
as memory encoding.
- Older people, who have a smaller pool of cognitive resources to begin with are
especially penalized.
Cross section and longitudinal research are both useful – the vast majority of cognitive and
neuroscience studies are cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies do not need to span long time (1
year to 5 years to lifespan).
W-WEIRD: white, wester, industrialized, educated, rich, democratic.
- Aging may not be the same among different types of people or cohorts.
- Are there differences due to genes or environment.
Study results can depend on when it was performed or conducted.
Recognition task scores based on time of day.
Participant expectations and the stereotype threat can also impact results on a test.
Document Summary
Processing speed (salthouse); general slowing of cognitive and neural systems may account for age-related memory loss. Simple reaction time correlated with memory and reasoning. Slower minds and a decrease in mental operations can not do as much as younger counterparts. Cognitive resources (craik): smaller pool of cognitive resources leads to older adults to process information less efficiently, deeply. Mental energy being tired after a long day, may also effect performance or become more prominent in older age. Frontal lobe function: there is a decline of frontal lobe function that is greater than others. Older adults look similar in character, although not necessarily in magnitude. Common cause/differentiation (baltes): there is a reduction in sensory, perceptual, and cognitive linked to increased correlations among these tasks. There are more brain connections used for tasks than would be seen in younger people. Integrating biological influences into cognitive models (anderson and craik, 2000) figure. Things to keep in mind when conducting cognitive aging research.
