IQ and age

i, and many others, have noted that some executive functions necessary for intelligence, such as working memory, decline with age. this has been affirmed by a decrease in IQ across time. however, we have committed an error: not wondering whether this is due to extracerebral physical decline causing an inability to perceive and perform the tests, instead of cognitive decline. a new study indicates that perception deficits may be the main factor leading to the IQ dive in aging america.

"The poorer performance by older adults may be characterized by a loss of efficiency in visual search," stated the researcher. "...This finding offers direct support for the hypothesis that sensory deficits influence coding task performances."

certainly, this is a very important distinction. however, i wonder then how we define IQ. physical central nervous system decline such as neuronal atrophy causes deficits in perceived cognitive output. this study shows that the body's physical decline creates similar deficits in perceived output. effectively, intelligence has dropped, regardless of what is going on in the brain, regardless of what executive functions are still sharp. the individual has lost the ability to interact as one with her previous IQ does, and that is important.

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