SOC 1104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Fluid And Crystallized Intelligence, Episodic Memory, Amnesia
Document Summary
Cognitive function undergoes age-related changes, just like the physical body. Declines in cognitive function have been shown to occur gradually and tend to be less severe than other changes to the body"s systems. There is also much variability in older adults and the type of cognitive change that takes place. Much of it depends on the life course. A person"s education, socio-economic status, work history and social support can all influence cognitive processes. Intelligence is a set of abilities that a person is able to apply to many different situations. Fluid intelligence is the ability to solve problems based on the demands of a particular situation. It is based less on culture and more on neurological capacity. Fluid intelligence peaks in adolescence, and age-related declines are common once a person is in their 60s. Crystallized intelligence, on the other hand, is highly determined by education and experience.
