cognición

LATE ADULTHOOD

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

There are natural deteriorations, although they can be kept in good condition, with a healthy lifestyle, and constant mental stimulation.

INTELLIGENCE

PERCEPTION AND ATTENTION

MEMORY

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Decreased visual acuity and processing.

-sensitivity to lighting.

-loss of ability to perceive high-pitched sounds.

-decreased selective attention, and less sustained attention.

-divided attention.

-sensory memory and the ability to capture stimuli usually remain stable, but not at the same speed.

implicit memory is =

short-term memory (-) (only when the complexity of the task increases): episodic, semantic, procedural.

-lower explicit intelligence.

-crystallized intelligence (knowledge acquired through experience) increases or remains the same.

-cognitive flexibility

-fluid intelligence decreases (rapid reasoning and solving new problems).

MORAL DEVELOPMENT

PURPOSE OF LIFE

Moral judgment and behavior are at least partially affected by the type of situations and by interpersonal variables such as gender and age. (Abbamonte et al., 2016)

Postconventional Morality

At this level of moral development, people develop an understanding of abstract principles of morality. The two stages at this level are:

Stage 5 (Social Contract and Individual Rights): The ideas of a social contract and individual rights cause people in the next stage to begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people.6 Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards. (MSEd, 2025)

Stage 6 (Universal Principles): Kohlberg’s final level of moral reasoning is based on universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules. (MSEd, 2025)

PSYCHOLOGIST LAWRENCE KOHLBERG PROPOSES THE FOLLOWING

In late adulthood, people are interested in emotional and mental well-being; they seek to understand their experiences, relationships, and spiritual level, as well as their contribution to society.

- Family and personal relationships, emotional ties (children, grandchildren, friends) begin to be prioritized.

- A sense of belonging to transmit traits, values ​​and knowledge.

- Personal well-being is sought, creating new hobbies, trips and projects.

- As a spiritual form, it is the contribution of strengthening one's beliefs and putting them in the foreground to continue and act in society.

- A support network, physical and mental health are sought.