Modifiability of Fluid Intelligence in Aging: A Short-Term Longitudinal Training Approach

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine to what degree fluid intelligence can be modified in aged subjects. The effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed to enhance one primary component of fluid intelligence, Figural Relations, was assessed by comparing the posttraining performances of 15 experimental and 15 control subjects (mean age: 69; age range 59-85) using a transfer paradigm and three posttraining assessments conducted approximately 1 week, 1 mo, and 6 mo following training. The post-training performance of the two groups was compared on three near (fluid intelligence) and one far (crystallized intelligence) transfer measures. A hierarchical pattern was predicted with the magnitude of training effects ordering themselves in descending order from near to far transfer measures. The training program was successful in enhancing performance on the fluid-nearest measure on all three posttests and for the next fluid-near measure on the first posttest. In addition, significant retest effects resulted which, however, were neither task-specific nor hierarchically ordered, but general and therefore indicative of ability-extraneous factors, such as test sophistication. The findings contribute to a position implying that intellectual performance in old age is more modifiable through short-term behavioral intervention than traditionally assumed.

A Comparative Study of Two Psychometric Approaches to Detect Risk Status for Dementia

“…[Plemons et al, 1978], has been used prior to this investigation also in the Adult Development and Enrichment Project (ADEPT) training research at the Pennsylvania State University [Baltes and Willis, 1982;, as well as in a subsequent replication and extension study conducted in Berlin [Baltes et al, 1986]. This measure comprises a total of 42 items divided into four subtests: 16 items belong to the subtest ' Figure Classification', 11 to the subtest 'Matrices', 9 to 'Topologies' and 6 to ' Figure Series'.…”

Mediating Age-related Cognitive Decline Through Lifestyle Activities: A Brief Review Of The Effects Of Physical Exercise And Sports-playing On Older Adult Cognition

“…Proposed activities have included engaging more frequently in everyday activities, such as completing crossword puzzles, playing card games, and learning a new language, or more formal training procedures. Many studies have examined the impact of cognitive training on older adults, with some improvements found in areas of attention and memory [2][3][4][5]. However, specificity of learning is a common feature of cognitive training paradigms that fail to show a transfer to real-world outcomes [6].…”

Cognitive Training Using Self‐discovery Methods

“…Plemons, Willis, and Baltes (1978) analyzed the underlying relational rules in several test items from the Cattell-Horn measures for Figural Relations and used the relational rules most frequently found in test items to develop training materials. Training consisted of eight practice sessions on figural-relations type items and the format included immediate verbal feedback, modeling of rule-based task solutions by the experimenter, individual practice on new materials, group discussions, and review of previous lessons.…”

“…Practice alone without specific training has also led to improvement (Plemons et al, 1978;Sanders et al, 1975;Willis et al, 1981). Labouvie-Vief and Gonda (1976) included a practice-only control group in a study examining training on inductive reasoning problems.…”

“…The primary focus has been whether or not older adults are capable of improving their performance. If they are, it is argued that the deficits must not be the result of irreversible loss of cognitive ability (Denney & Denney, 1974;Hybertson et al, 1982;Labouvie-Vief & Gonda, 1976;Plemons et al, 1978;Rebok, 1981;Willis et al, 1981). In the studies cited, only three have included young comparison groups (Hybertson et al, 1982;Mergler & Hoyer, 1981;Rebok, 1981).…”