You were playing a speed-based card game with your 64-year-old grandfather. The object of the game is to get rid of your cards as fast as you can. Once the first card is turned over, each player tries to play by deciding which pile to play his or her card. When you were younger, your grandfather always beat you in this game. Now, you always beat him. What is probably happening? Your grandfather is experiencing a slight decline in ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Perceptual speed is the ability to quickly and accurately process visual information. As people age, their perceptual speed tends to decline, which can make it harder to play a speed-based card game. This decline in perceptual speed is likely why the grandfather is no longer able to beat the younger player. Numeric ability, spatial orientation, and crystallized intelligence are all different types of cognitive abilities and are not as directly related to speed-based card games as perceptual speed.

You Were Playing a Speed-Based Card Game with Your 64-Year-Old