Question 1

Although cognitive abilities typically decline in middle and older adulthood, thinking usually becomes more efficient and therefore faster, so performance usually remains steady until about age 70.

Accepted Answer

Just the opposite is true: Cognitive abilities remain largely intact, but speed declines. Because older adults are more knowledgeable, they can usually compensate for diminished speed through their better knowledge base.

Question 2

People who have complex jobs typically experience greater cognitive decline in older adulthood.

Accepted Answer

People who are challenged by the cognitive demands of their jobs typically score higher on tests of intellectual flexibility and those who keep mentally active experience less age-related intellectual decline.

Question 3

The ability that typically experiences the most decline in middle adulthood is memory.

Accepted Answer

Memory remains largely intact in middle adulthood, but speed does show some noticeable decline.

Question 4

Knowing how to start a car is a good example of declarative knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Starting a car involves understanding a set of procedures, rather than facts, so it is a much better example of procedural knowledge than declarative knowledge.

Quiz 14: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Although cognitive abilities typically decline in middle and older adulthood, thinking usually becomes more efficient and therefore faster, so performance usually remains steady until about age 70.

People who have complex jobs typically experience greater cognitive decline in older adulthood.

The ability that typically experiences the most decline in middle adulthood is memory.

Knowing how to start a car is a good example of declarative knowledge.