Relationships between intellectual control beliefs and psychometric intelligence in adulthood

Article Abstract:

There are complicated relationships among an individual's perceptions of his intellectual capacity, his control over intellectual functioning, and his intelligence, such that lack of actual control and lack of perceived control are associated with increased illness and decreased autonomy in the elderly. Unfortunately, the elderly often feel that they have less cognitive abilities than younger people, though this is not necessarily true. The Personality in Intellectual-Aging Contexts (PIC) is a test that was designed to measure the beliefs of the elderly regarding their control over their intellectual abilities. The scale has proven useful for prediction of intellectual performance in elderly samples but not younger samples. This study was designed to further test the PIC and its ability to predict intellectual performance in adults between the ages of 43 and 84 years. It was longitudinal (lasting two years), allowing for assessment of the stability of the intelligence and PIC measures as well. Six hundred and eight adults between the ages of 43 and 84 were given a demographic questionnaire, the PIC, and 26 other tests known to measure various aspects of intelligence. Men exhibited greater internal control beliefs and lower external control beliefs than women, and higher internality was correlated with higher education. This suggests that women and those who are less educated were more likely to rely on others for help with intellectually demanding tasks. Over the two years, PIC scores changed at a rate higher than the reliability of the scales would suggest. This indicated that control beliefs themselves were likely to change over time. Age was a factor as well - as age increased, perceived internal control and levels of intelligence by objective decreased. While directionality of the relationship between perceived intellectual control and actual intelligence cannot be determined from these data, the results support the hypothesis that individuals are aware of their intellectual abilities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, Self-confidence, Self confidence, Age groups, Intelligence (Psychology), Intellect, Self reliance, Self-reliance, Age and intelligence

---

Dispositional control beliefs and the consequences of a control-enhancing intervention

Article Abstract:

Considerable investigation has centered around the concept that the more control one feels one has over the events in life, the better the adjustment, particularly for those in institutional settings. Research into this concept has evolved into two principal theories: "control can be taught," and "control depends on personality." It may prove beneficial to combine those two theories to find out who would benefit most from learning control mechanisms. When the two concepts were combined, using older adults as subjects, it seems as though there was an interaction effect between them. That is, those who have the personalities that go with taking charge of their lives were taught, and were able to learn, control mechanisms (ways of coping), as were people who tend to be a little more dependent or who suppose they cannot control the things that happen to them. Those with a highly developed sense that they were in control of their lives benefitted most; those with a low sense of control benefitted least, but did benefit from learning control mechanisms. Additional research is needed to determine how the integration of these concepts can best be accomplished and measured. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Study and teaching, Behavior modification, Control (Psychology)

---

Age-based beliefs about memory changes for self and others across adulthood

Article Abstract:

A questionnaire using three Metamemory in Adulthood self-efficacy scales revealed that individuals expect a change and decline in memory ability with age for themselves as well as for others. In addition, a significant difference was expected between age 45 and age 65, a finding which differs from the results of E.B. Ryan's similar 1992 study. These expectations for memory difficulties may partially explain actual observed changes in memory as adults grow older.

Public opinion, Memory in old age, Old age memory

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Relationships between self-reported physical and mental health and intelligence performance across adulthood. Social networks, health, and emotional well-being among the oldest old in London
• Abstracts: Relation between intellectual dysfunctioning and mortality in community-residing older people. Apolipoprotein E phenotypes, dementia and mortality in a prospective population sample
• Abstracts: Relationships between sleep and body temperature in middle-aged and older subjects. Comparison of rectal and infrared ear temperatures in older hospital inpatients
• Abstracts: Case mix controlled service use and expenditures in the social health maintenance organization demonstration. Commentary on "Mortality oscillations induced by periodic starvation alter sex-mortality differentials in Mediterranean fruit flies."(response to article by Carey et al, October, 1999 issue, page B424)
• Abstracts: Determinants of interpersonal support and self-direction in group residential facilities. A typology of social climates in group residential facilities for older people

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.