Cross-sectional studies of intelligence may reveal differences between young and old people that do not arise from age but from characteristics of different cohorts, including which of the following?
A) Young people are more familiar than old people with test taking.
B) Old people show more test anxiety than young people.
C) Some old people accept the prejudices of ageism and believe that intelligence declines with age.
D) Young people are less cautious than old people and may be more likely to guess at the answer on tests of intelligence.
E) All of these.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the given options are possible reasons why cross-sectional studies of intelligence may reveal differences between young and old people that do not arise from age but from characteristics of different cohorts. Young people may perform better in intelligence tests simply because they are more familiar with test-taking or are less cautious while answering. In contrast, older people may perform worse if they have accepted the ageist prejudice that intelligence declines with age or show more test anxiety.

Cross-Sectional Studies of Intelligence May Reveal Differences Between Young and Old