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Abstract
This current research project focused on the differences between the old-old and the young-old in term of levels of intelligence and capability. "Intelligence" was operationally defined as measures taken from a short version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, the Satz-Mogul WAIS-R. Capability for the purpose of this study, was operationally defined as measures taken from the Cognitive Competency Test (CCT) and the Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS).
The purpose of this research was to study how measures of capability and intelligence are affected by factors such as age, institutionalization and gender. Individuals of both genders comprising two age groups (55-74, 75-97) and two residential options (community-dwelling and institutionalized) were subjects. The intellectual and capability functioning of subjects was assessed by three measures (i.e. CCT, DAFS, WAIS-R). Regression analyses, which partialled out the effects of extraneous factors (e.g. health, education) were used to study the effects of age, level of institution, and gender.
Results of the study revealed highly significant differences between age groups on measures of capability and intelligence. Older adults performed worse on capability and intelligence measures than younger adults even when the effects of health, and education were controlled. Institutionalized individuals performed worse on measures of capability and intelligence than non-institutionalized individuals. Gender did not have a significant effect on test performance on intelligence measures but men scored slightly worse than women on one capability measure (DAFS). Results are discussed with an emphasis on the relationship of hospitalization, age and gender to intelligence and capability. The limitations of the current study are identified and possibilities for future research are explored.
