339 Chapter 6

Active Cognitive Training in Vital Elderly (ACTIVE)

first large-scale, randomized trial to show that cognitive training improves cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults up to 5 years

age-insensitive abilities

scores on tests that are relatively maintained into older adulthood

age-sensitive abilities

scores on tests that show age-related decline

capacity assessment

analysis of desired capacities against existing capacities which generates an understanding of capacity assets and needs that informs the formulation of a capacity development response

crystallized intelligence (Gc)

function of education, experience, and exposure to a specific cultural environment

disuse hypothesis of cognitive aging

skills and abilities get rusty when they are not used on a regular basis

encapsulation model

as individuals grow older, their knowledge becomes channeled (encapsulated) within specific areas (domains)

engagement hypothesis

participation in novel and challenging intellectual tasks will prevent decline in intellectual functioning

financial capacity

the ability to independently manage one's own financial affairs in a manner consistent with personal self-interest and values

fluid intelligence (Gf)

"raw" intelligence, meaning that it is largely a function of the integrity of the central nervous system and is relatively independent of social influences and culturally based learning experiences

flynn Effect

the possibility that the cognitive scores attained by a standardization sample tested recently are higher than scores earned by standardization sample tested at an earlier point in time

intelligence quotient (IQ)

a number representing a person's reasoning ability as compared to the statistical norm or average for their age

intraindividual variability

abilities can fluctuate within the same individual over various occasions

legal conservatorship

management of an incompetent person's estate and financial transactions

legal guardianship

care and protection by someone who is empowered to make decisions in the interest of the individual concerning everyday matters such as living arrangements, health care, and provision of other basic needs

mechanics of intelligence

include basic operations such as perceptual processing of sensory input, comparing and categorizing information, and carrying out basic memory functions

negative cohort trend

the present-day young adult cohort has less ability than an older cohort had when young

optimally exercised abilities

the ability a normal, healthy adult would demonstrate under the best conditions of training or practice

positive cohort trend

the present-day young adult cohort has a higher level of ability than an older adult cohort had back in their young adult years

pragmatics of intelligence

cultural exposure to facts and procedures that are maintained as one ages and are similar to crystallized intelligence

testing the limits

a strategy for investigating both the range and the limits of a person's cognitive capacity

unexercised abilities

the problem-solving ability a normal, healthy adult would exhibit without practice or training

white matter hyperintensities (WMH)

abnormal formations of myelin that appear as bright signals on DTI scans and reflect deterioration of the myelin