Gaining Years and Losing Intelligence - Essay Example

? Gaining Years and Losing Intelligence We have all heard the saying about not being able to teach old dogs new tricks. Inferring that the aged are set in their ways and incapable of changing. There are many plausible and potential contributors to what can affect intelligence as we age. Whether or not these effects are inevitable to all or specific to individuals is at the core of the question It is scientifically certain that as we age we do lose neurons that do not regenerate. This causes a decrease in overall brain surface and the number of brain cells in total, which causes a gradual mental degeneration over time. This being said, does this decrease, which is perfectly normal and natural, manifest in a significant loss of intelligence, in a way that can extremely alter our intellectual function and ability to learn? The intention of this essay is to address this question and weigh the theories available after decades of research. Firstly, it would be prudent to understand more about how we perceive the aging and elderly. This, truly, may have a great deal to do with what we consider to be the actual loss of intellect as we grow older. Historically, fifth century Greeks recorded that one culture, the Issedonians, worshipped their elderly. They would gild the heads after death and make sacrifices to them. In contrast, other early cultures, held little regard for the aging in their society. They would feed their elderly to hungry dogs. Yet another culture would throw their elderly off high cliffs and mock them as they bashed into the rocks while plummeting to their deaths. ("Social gerontology part," 1984) Our modern treatment of the elderly is, fortunately, better than this. However, we certainly do not “revere” our elderly either. Our present interpretation of the aging and elderly is very often an exaggeration of the truth. We have a “Grumpy Old Men” mentality. A stereotype that the older generation is too old fashioned, stubborn, bitter, sometimes child-like, often, slow, who are sometime mental invalids that may not be capable to caring for themselves. But, in truth, this stereotype is more myth than fact. Sometimes we are aggravated, annoyed, and inconvenienced by it. In other situations we find this idea amusing. But this perception has a negative element which is not always a laughing matter. It has formed itself into a form of “ageism.” The idea that the aging and elderly are no longer capable of productivity, that they no longer have anything to offer, and that they have nothing left to contribute. ("Social gerontology part," 1984) Being made to feel that they are obsolete can have a negative effect on the emotional and mental self-esteem of these individuals. Intelligence is somewhat like a muscle. If one does not exercise it then it is, likely, to atrophy. These societal misconceptions are, hardly, unanimously, true. Many individuals well into their 70s and, even 80s, are quite capable of remembering relevant knowledge, completing tasks, and entirely able to develop new skills. In the 1980s a classification system was developed to explain two general types of intelligence. The first, Crystallized intelligence, is deemed as the summation of one’s education, learned experiences, and skill sets. The second classification, Fluid intelligence, encompasses the activity to solve new problems, to reason abstractly, and develop unfamiliar skills. The studies performed determined that Fluid intelligence does, in fact, decline, both, sooner and faster than Crystallized intelligence; which did not show any significant decline until the mid-to-late 70s, sometimes 80s.("Social gerontology part," 1984) One study was dedicated to establishing that the overall physical health of aging and elderly individuals can play a huge part in the outcome of intellectual decline.(Anstey, Kaarin, Stankov, Lazar, Lord & Stephen,1993) They discussed the difference between “primary” and “secondary” aging; which intends to clarify that the deficiencies in intellect, over a lifespan, primary aging, is normal, while secondary aging is a result of one’s physical ailments and disease that can affect the one’s abilities mentally. For example, perceptions of intelligence can be greatly impacted in, “…people with dementia or other cognitive-impaired conditions.” ("Does i.q. drop," 2006) This may, also, apply to individuals who for, other health conditions, are required to take medications that have side effects that could alter their physical and mental states. Another study encourages that much of what is perceived as loss of intellect may be due to sensory deficiencies. There is a common visual impairment, called Presbyopia, which is the normal recession of the eyes ability to focus on near objects and printed materials. (Bennett & Eklund, 1983) Being able to see the complex elements of a task at hand will, obviously, be relevant to being able to complete them successfully. “The poorer performance may be characterized by a loss of efficiency in visual search.”("Does i.q. drop," 2006) This presents an interesting conclusion that these individuals inability to focus, usually attributed to diminishing intellect, may be, simply, diminishing visual acuity. The same could be compared to other sensory deficiencies as we age, like hearing. Other studies believe that the loss of intellect with aging is entirely dependent on the individuals overall intelligence to begin with. With all due respect to those who question the validity of standardized I.O., Intelligence Quotient, tests are truly capable of assessing actual intellectual potential; these studies firmly work under the principal that they can. The study consisted of candidates of varying ages and running the span of those with very low I.Q. and those that scored very high. It determined that those with initially high I.Q. s remained quite high compared with those whose I.Q.s were lower to begin with.(Ratcliff , Thapar & McKoon , 2010) Essentially concluding that those who are smartest remain smarter as they age. However, these results are ultimately relative to the individual. But, it does show that those with high I.Q. are not resistant, any more than anyone else, to some level of decrease with age. A recent study, at Stanford University School of Medicine, has suggested that a particular genetic variation, a polymorphism, may play a significant role in why and how quickly some individuals intellect diminishes.(Nauert, 2011) This gene influences a certain protein called a brain-derived neurotropic factor, BDNF, which is imperative for optimum Central Nervous System, CNS, function. BDNF declines naturally with age and that loss could contribute to lessened mental functions. The research has yet to be concluded. As yet there are no manufactured substitutes to simulate this reaction in the brain. However, one of the researcher involved, mentioned that the only clearly established way to ensure a longer presence of BDNF in the brain is through regular physical and mental activity.(Nauert, 2011) To conclude, it seems clear, regardless, of whatever theory you ascribe to, and your actual age, the key to keeping ones intellect alive is living actively. Maintaining stimulation of the body and, especially, the mind. We as a society must reevaluate our perception of the abilities and potential faculties of the ageing, and the elderly must not allow themselves to embrace or be mentally sedated by societal stereotypes. It may be true that our minds must accept a certain amount of decline, just as our bodies do as the years pass, but that should not necessarily be perceived as condemning. With regularly exercised mental stimulation, living wisely, and healthfully we can overcome misconceptions and maintain our intellect; which the loss of is far less often absolute, and more myth than society as often chosen to embrace. References Anstey. , Kaarin, , Stankov, , Lazar, , Lord, , & Stephen, (1993). Psychology and aging. APA Psycnet: American Psychological Association, 4(8), doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.8.4.562 http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/pag/8/4/562/ Bennett, E. S., & Eklund, S. J. (1983). Vision changes, intelligence, and aging part 1. Taylor and Francis Online: Educational Gerontology, 9(4), 255-278. doi: 10.1080/0380127830090401 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0380127830090401#preview Does i.q. drop with age, or does something else impact intelligence?. (2006, May 4). Science Daily, Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060504082306.htm Nauert, R. (2011). Small genetic differences explain drop in i.q. with age. PsychCentral, Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/10/26/small-genetic-differences-explain-drop-in-iq-with-age/30758.html Ratcliff , R., Thapar , A., & McKoon , G. (2010). Individual intelligence, aging, and i.q. in two- choice tasks. Cognitive Psychology, 60(3), 127-157. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010028509000590 (1984). Social gerontology part 1: Aging and intelligence. Essays of an Information Scientist Current Contents. http://www.garfield.library.upenn.edu/essays/v7p097y1984.pdf Read More