The Gerontologist
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


This Article
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Baltes, P. B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Baltes, P. B.

The Gerontologist, Vol 33, Issue 5 580-594, Copyright © 1993 by The Gerontological Society of America


REVIEWS

The aging mind: potential and limits

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:


Home page
Age AgeingHome page
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]


Home page
Research on AgingHome page
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]


Home page
Journal of Family IssuesHome page
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]


Home page
AJGPHome page
D. G. Blazer
Successful Aging
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, January 1, 2006; 14(1): 2 - 5.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Educational and Psychological MeasurementHome page
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]


Home page
Research on AgingHome page
M. Ardelt
Empirical Assessment of a Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale
Research on Aging, May 1, 2003; 25(3): 275 - 324.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
The Counseling PsychologistHome page
N. E. Betz
A Proactive Approach to Midcareer Development
The Counseling Psychologist, March 1, 2003; 31(2): 205 - 211.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
International Journal of Behavioral DevelopmentHome page
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]


Home page
Psychosom. Med.Home page
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]


Home page
J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci.Home page
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]


Home page
International Journal of Behavioral DevelopmentHome page
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]


Home page
Gifted Child QuarterlyHome page
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]


Home page
Research on AgingHome page
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]


Home page
J. Gerontol. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci.Home page
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]


Home page
Journal of Applied GerontologyHome page
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
Copyright © 1993 by The Gerontological Society of America.