Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: Older, more experienced individuals can sometimes outperform younger ones on cognitive tasks ranging from scientific research to chess.
Reason R: Fluid intelligence seems to increase slowly with age but crystallized intelligence decreases.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
• C. A is correct but R is not correct
• D. A is not correct but R is correct

Hint:

Remember: Fluid = Flowing/Flexible (declines with age, starting in your $20$s); Crystallized = Solid/Hardened knowledge (grows stronger and accumulates with age).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to evaluate statements regarding age-related changes in fluid and crystallized intelligence and how they influence cognitive performance in older individuals.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Assertion A states that older, more experienced individuals can sometimes outperform younger ones on complex cognitive tasks like scientific research and chess. This is a true statement.

• This performance advantage occurs because tasks like chess and research heavily rely on domain-specific knowledge, schemas, and life experience, which accumulate over decades.

• Reason R states that fluid intelligence increases slowly with age but crystallized intelligence decreases. This is biologically and psychologically incorrect.

• According to Raymond Cattell's theory of intelligence, fluid intelligence (the capacity to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge) peaks in early adulthood and steadily declines with age.

• Conversely, crystallized intelligence (the ability to use skills, knowledge, and experience) remains stable or increases slowly throughout middle and late adulthood.

• Therefore, the correct explanation for Assertion A is that older adults' high crystallized intelligence and specialized expertise compensate for declines in fluid intelligence.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Assertion A is correct, but Reason R is incorrect because it reverses the developmental trajectories of fluid and crystallized intelligence.