|
|
||||||||
The Gerontologist, Vol 33, Issue 5 580-594, Copyright © 1993 by The Gerontological Society of America
REVIEWS |
PB Baltes
Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education, Berlin, Germany.
Research on the aging mind has moved from a simple growth vs decline view to a conception of a joint consideration of potential and limits. This development is illustrated by research on two categories of cognitive functioning: the cognitive mechanics and the cognitive pragmatics. The cognitive mechanics (comparable to fluid intelligence) are primarily determined by the evolution-based neurophysiological architecture of the mind, whereas the cognitive pragmatics (comparable to crystallized intelligence) primarily reflect the impact of culture. Testing-the-limits research on basic memory serves as a prototypical instantiation of the aging of cognitive mechanics; research on wisdom and the cognitive management of the self are prototypical examples of the aging of cognitive pragmatics. In the cognitive mechanics, as one would expect from a phenomenon which is largely genetically and biologically controlled, there is definite aging loss. Conversely, in the cognitive pragmatics, which is primarily culture-based, there is evidence for stability and positive change in persons who reach old age without specific brain pathology, and who live in favorable life circumstances. A model of successful aging, selective optimization with compensation, is presented to illustrate how individuals and societies might effectively manage the age-related shift toward a less positive balance between gains and losses and the associated dynamics between culture-based growth and biology-based decline in level of functioning.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
S. L. Tyas, D. A. Snowdon, M. F. Desrosiers, K. P. Riley, and W. R. Markesbery Healthy ageing in the Nun Study: definition and neuropathologic correlates Age Ageing, November 1, 2007; 36(6): 650 - 655. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
|
D. Alley, K. Suthers, and E. Crimmins Education and Cognitive Decline in Older Americans: Results From the AHEAD Sample Research on Aging, January 1, 2007; 29(1): 73 - 94. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
C. A. Fruhauf, S. E. Jarrott, and K. R. Allen Grandchildren's Perceptions of Caring for Grandparents Journal of Family Issues, July 1, 2006; 27(7): 887 - 911. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
D. G. Blazer Successful Aging Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, January 1, 2006; 14(1): 2 - 5. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
|
D. J. Mueller and K. Kim The Tenacious Goal Pursuit and Flexible Goal Adjustment Scales: Examination of their Validity Educational and Psychological Measurement, February 1, 2004; 64(1): 120 - 142. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
M. Ardelt Empirical Assessment of a Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale Research on Aging, May 1, 2003; 25(3): 275 - 324. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
N. E. Betz A Proactive Approach to Midcareer Development The Counseling Psychologist, March 1, 2003; 31(2): 205 - 211. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
M. Takahashi and W. F. Overton Wisdom: A culturally inclusive developmental perspective International Journal of Behavioral Development, May 1, 2002; 26(3): 269 - 277. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
H. P. Hazuda, M. B. Gerety, S. Lee, C. D. Mulrow, and M. J. Lichtenstein Measuring Subclinical Disability in Older Mexican Americans Psychosom Med, May 1, 2002; 64(3): 520 - 530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
|
M. J. Aartsen, C. H. M. Smits, T. van Tilburg, K. C. P. M. Knipscheer, and D. J. H. Deeg Activity in Older Adults: Cause or Consequence of Cognitive Functioning? A Longitudinal Study on Everyday Activities and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2002; 57(2): P153 - 162. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
|
H. W. Reese, L.-J. Lee, S. H. Cohen, and J. M. Puckett Jr. Effects of intellectual variables, age, and gender on divergent thinking in adulthood International Journal of Behavioral Development, November 1, 2001; 25(6): 491 - 500. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
M. A. Heng Scrutinizing Common Sense: The Role of Practical Intelligence in Intellectual Giftedness Gifted Child Quarterly, July 1, 2000; 44(3): 171 - 182. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
M. Ardelt Antecedents and Effects of Wisdom in Old Age: A Longitudinal Perspective on Aging Well Research on Aging, July 1, 2000; 22(4): 360 - 394. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
K. P. Riley, D. A. Snowdon, A. M. Saunders, A. D. Roses, J. A. Mortimer, and N. Nanayakkara Cognitive Function and Apolipoprotein E in Very Old Adults: Findings From the Nun Study J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2000; 55(2): 69S - 75. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
|
M. A. Okun and G. E. Rice Overcoming Elders' Misconceptions About Accurate Written Medical Information Journal of Applied Gerontology, March 1, 1997; 16(1): 51 - 70. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
---|
All GSA journals | Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences | Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences |