Studies show that solving puzzles does not slow down the pace of intelligence decline


by

stevepb

It is often said that solving puzzles prevents a decline in intelligence, but the latest research has shown that 'solving puzzles does not slow down the decline in intelligence.' However, researchers still say that it makes sense to solve puzzles. The University of Aberdeen, the NHS Grand Pian, and the National University of Ireland explain why.

Intellectual engagement and cognitive ability in later life (the “use it or lose it” conjecture): longitudinal, prospective study
(PDF file) https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/363/bmj.k4925.full.pdf

This cohort study used subject childhood data and data on intelligence followed for 15 years from age 64. The researchers gathered 498 Scottish adults around the age of 64 who took an intelligence test between the ages of 11 and 12 in 1947. Then, at the age of 64, he conducted a test on memory and information processing, and the same test was repeated five times in the following 14 years. Researchers have now observed how 'intellectual efforts' affect intelligence, taking into account the educational status and intelligence of childhood.

How much 'intellectual effort' was done was measured by the following four types of questions. The point is that I was asked 'Is it fun?' Instead of 'Is it going?'

·reading
Questions such as 'Do you read esoteric novels?' 'Do you read more than 10 books a year?'
・ Abstract thinking
The question is, do you like to ponder things without producing realistic results?
・ Problem-solving behavior
Questions such as whether it is fun to create new solutions to difficult problems
・ Intellectual curiosity
Questions like whether you like learning new things in a wide range

In addition, the intelligence test examined how much you can remember the list of words you read aloud, how much you can connect figures and numbers, and also the speed of linguistic memory and mental processing. It is called Ta.

As a result, as a whole, 'the higher the intelligence as a child, the more likely it is to engage in intellectual efforts after the age of 64' and 'women have higher scores for mental processing and intellectual efforts than men'. Shown. And, of course, it has also been shown that the subject's intelligence score declined with age.


by

Noelle Otto

Of the 498 subjects, 96 participated in the study to the end, 13 were interrupted, 57 died, and 332 declined to participate in the study. Under these circumstances, it was found that 'problem-solving behavior' was associated with a high score on the intelligence test, even when considering academic ability and educational status as a child. On the other hand, reading and intellectual curiosity were also associated with high scores, but researchers say that they can also explain factors such as intelligence and gender as a child.

And what is interesting is that none of the four 'intellectual efforts' was found to be related to 'the speed at which intelligence declines.'

From these results, the researcher said, 'People who like problem-solving behavior and those who do not like it have the same rate of decline in intelligence, but those who like problem-solving behavior have a high level at the start, so the damage is remarkable. I can afford to become. ' In other words, problem-solving behavior seems to be linked to improved intelligence, but it does not mean 'preventing a decline in intelligence.'

On the other hand, those who try to take an intelligence test even as they get older are those who feel that they 'still have enough intelligence', and those who suffer from dementia tend to drop out on the way. I have. From this, it is possible that this study underestimates the effect of intellectual efforts on 'preventing a decline in intelligence.'


by Vlad Sargu

Another problem with the observational cohort study itself is the limitation that it cannot be concluded that one factor is the cause of another. However, many years of intellectual and problem-solving behavior are associated with high intelligence, and tackling difficult problems is 'not a waste of time,' the researchers said.

in Science, Posted by darkhorse_log