When assessing cognitive abilities both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, Schaie found that
A) decline starts at the same time in both research methods.
B) decline starts earlier in cross-sectional studies than in longitudinal studies.
C) decline starts earlier in longitudinal studies than in cross-sectional studies.
D) decline only occurs in cross-sectional studies, but never occurs in longitudinal studies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Schaie's research indicated that cognitive decline appears to start earlier when assessed using cross-sectional methods compared to longitudinal methods. This is because cross-sectional studies compare different age groups at one point in time, potentially conflating age effects with generational differences, while longitudinal studies follow the same individuals over time, providing a more accurate picture of how cognition changes with age.

When Assessing Cognitive Abilities Both Cross-Sectionally and Longitudinally, Schaie Found