DCL Task 9. IQ
Learning goals
1. Predictive value and stability of IQ
2. Genetic and environmental influences, heritability
3. Early predictors of IQ
1. Predictive value and stability of IQ Hartshorne
There is some broad age range, after development but before senescence, at which
individuals’ cognitive ability is stable. Nonetheless, this cannot be right: Scores for fluid
intelligence (e.g., short-term memory) peak early in adulthood, whereas scores for crystalized
intelligence (e.g., vocabulary) peak in middle age. There are also differences in memory:
different peaks for STM of faces and names.
Comparing age of peak performance across cognitive domains has several uses.
- Maybe the fluid-/crystalized- intelligence distinction needs revision.
- Distinct ages of peak performance for two tasks suggest distinct underlying
mechanisms.
- Delineating age of peak performance also informs research methodology: The
widespread use of college students as control subjects for development or aging
studies may not be appropriate for functions that are still maturing at 18 years or are
already showing evidence of age-related decline.
- It can help with optimized interventions and methods of identifying and addressing
age-related cognitive decline and quality of life among the elderly
In this study they compared age of peak performance across 30 different cognitive tasks. To
achieve sufficient sample size, we combined novel reanalyses of normative data from
standardized tests with findings from new, massive Internet-based samples.
Experiment 1: Re-analysis of standardized tests
To examine the degree of heterogeneity in age of peak performance, we first analyzed
published, normative data from two standardized test batteries: the Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), a widely used intelligence test consisting of 14 subtests tapping
a range of mental abilities, and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III), which consists of 16
subtests tapping different aspects of short-term and long-term memory.
Findings:
- Earlier peaks for fluid intelligence (STM, WM, processing) than for crystallized
intelligence (Vocabulary, Information, Comprehension, Arithmetic) peaked
significantly later than performance on nearly every other task
Learning goals
1. Predictive value and stability of IQ
2. Genetic and environmental influences, heritability
3. Early predictors of IQ
1. Predictive value and stability of IQ Hartshorne
There is some broad age range, after development but before senescence, at which
individuals’ cognitive ability is stable. Nonetheless, this cannot be right: Scores for fluid
intelligence (e.g., short-term memory) peak early in adulthood, whereas scores for crystalized
intelligence (e.g., vocabulary) peak in middle age. There are also differences in memory:
different peaks for STM of faces and names.
Comparing age of peak performance across cognitive domains has several uses.
- Maybe the fluid-/crystalized- intelligence distinction needs revision.
- Distinct ages of peak performance for two tasks suggest distinct underlying
mechanisms.
- Delineating age of peak performance also informs research methodology: The
widespread use of college students as control subjects for development or aging
studies may not be appropriate for functions that are still maturing at 18 years or are
already showing evidence of age-related decline.
- It can help with optimized interventions and methods of identifying and addressing
age-related cognitive decline and quality of life among the elderly
In this study they compared age of peak performance across 30 different cognitive tasks. To
achieve sufficient sample size, we combined novel reanalyses of normative data from
standardized tests with findings from new, massive Internet-based samples.
Experiment 1: Re-analysis of standardized tests
To examine the degree of heterogeneity in age of peak performance, we first analyzed
published, normative data from two standardized test batteries: the Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), a widely used intelligence test consisting of 14 subtests tapping
a range of mental abilities, and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III), which consists of 16
subtests tapping different aspects of short-term and long-term memory.
Findings:
- Earlier peaks for fluid intelligence (STM, WM, processing) than for crystallized
intelligence (Vocabulary, Information, Comprehension, Arithmetic) peaked
significantly later than performance on nearly every other task
