The strong connection between sensory and cognitive performance in old age: Not due to sensory acuity reductions operating during cognitive assessment

被引:142
作者
Lindenberger, U
Scherer, H
Baltes, PB
机构
[1] Max Planck Inst Human Dev, D-14195 Berlin, Dahlem, Germany
[2] Free Univ Berlin, Dept Otorhinopharyngol, Benjamin Franklin Med Sch, D-1000 Berlin, Germany
关键词
D O I
10.1037//0882-7974.16.2.196
中图分类号
R4 [临床医学]; R592 [老年病学];
学科分类号
1002 ; 100203 ; 100602 ;
摘要
Cognitive aging research has documented a strong increase in the covariation between sensory and cognitive functioning with advancing age. In part this finding may reflect sensory acuity reductions operating during cognitive assessment. To examine this possibility, the authors administered cognitive tasks used in prior studies (e.g., Lindenberger & Baltes, 1994) to middle-aged adults under age-simulation conditions of reduced visual acuity. auditory acuity, or both. Visual acuity was lowered through partial occlusion filters, and auditory acuity through headphone-shaped noise protectors. Acuity manipulations reduced visual acuity and auditory acuity in the speech range to values reaching or approximating old-age acuity levels, respectively, but did not lower cognitive performance relative to control conditions. Results speak against assessment-related sensory acuity accounts of the age-related increase in the connection between sensory and cognitive functioning and underscore the need to explore alternative explanations, including a focus on general aspects of brain aging.
引用
收藏
页码:196 / 205
页数:10
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