Question

Tanya is 78 years old and has stayed physically and mentally active, so she is experiencing only the normal cognitive decline of a person her age. As a result, Tanya is least likely to have trouble with ___________. a. thinking and reacting quickly to road signs when she is driving b. trying to keep in mind a list of items to buyat the store while also talking to a friend she sees in the store c. remembering what she learned long ago, such as the names of the state capitals d. quickly learning the names of several new people that she meets at a party

Short answer

Tanya is least likely to have trouble with c. remembering what she learned long ago, such as the names of the state capitals, as long-term memory is generally less affected by natural cognitive decline compared to other cognitive functions.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Option A

Tanya might have difficulty thinking and reacting quickly to road signs when driving since it requires immediate processing of information.

Understanding Option B

Option B involves trying to remember a list of items while also engaging in conversation with a friend. This could be a challenge for Tanya due to the working memory limitations that come with natural cognitive decline.

Understanding Option C

Option C involves remembering long-term memory items like state capitals that Tanya has learned long ago. Long-term memory is relatively preserved in normal cognitive decline compared to other cognitive functions.

Understanding Option D

Option D involves quickly learning the names of new people at a party, which could be challenging for Tanya due to the natural decline in the ability to form and retrieve new memories quickly.

Choose the correct answer

After analyzing each option, it can be concluded that Tanya is least likely to have trouble with Option C, remembering what she learned long ago, such as the names of the state capitals. This is because long-term memory is generally less affected by the natural cognitive decline compared to other cognitive functions. Therefore, the correct answer is **c. remembering what she learned long ago, such as the names of the state capitals**.

Key concepts

Long-term Memory Retention

Memory is the tapestry of our lives, capturing the moments big and small that define who we are. As we age, certain aspects of this tapestry may fade, particularly when it comes to retaining new memories. However, long-term memory retention remains a stronghold against the siege of time.

For individuals like Tanya, those fond recollections of past experiences, such as the names of state capitals learned in her younger years, tend to stay firmly rooted. This resilience of long-term memory amidst aging is due to the consolidation process, where memories become more stable over time. Therefore, when looking at cognitive functions likely to withstand the test of time, long-term memory is a beacon of continuity, shining through the fog of age-related cognitive challenges.

Working Memory Limitations

Imagine the mind as a countertop, with working memory as the space available for the task at hand. As we age, it is as though this space becomes cluttered, limiting the amount of information we can effectively handle simultaneously.

Exercise improvements suggest older adults like Tanya could struggle with tasks that require holding multiple pieces of information in mind at once, such as remembering a shopping list while conversing with a friend. It's like trying to chop vegetables for dinner with a countertop overrun with the day's mail, car keys, and a sprinkling of old coffee mugs, limiting the efficacy of our cognitive workspace. Tanya's working memory may not have the youthful elasticity to bounce between topics, remember instructions, or pivot quickly from one task to another without a hitch.

Information Processing Speed

Every second counts, and in the realm of cognition, speed is king. As the years pass, the monarch's pace often wanes. For Tanya, tasks that once might have been a quick sprint can feel more like a leisurely stroll.

This deceleration is part and parcel of the natural aging process; the brain's ability to process information rapidly diminishes. Spotting and reacting to road signs while driving illustrates how a decreased processing speed can impact daily activities. It's not just the physical reflex but the speed at which the brain interprets what the eyes see and translates it into action that is affected. Tanya's information processing speed is akin to a once nippy sports car that now enjoys the slow lane, prioritizing safety and accuracy over the breakneck velocity of youth.