Answer to Question 1
One factor is exercise. A major meta-analysis found that physical training improved the cognitive performance of older adults regardless of the physical training method or the characteristics of the older adult. Neuroscience has found that regular exercise has a wide range of effects on the brain, including increasing neural plasticity.
Another factor is multilingualism. Speaking multiple languages might be a protective factor against cognitive decline as we age. In one study, older adults ages 75 to 95 who spoke more than four languages showed the best cognitive states.
Answer to Question 2
False memories are based on items or events that did not occur. Sometimes we are told stories by friends and relatives that we could not possibly have experienced. Yet, if we hear these stories enough, we may come to believe they are part of our past and incorporate them into our autobiographical memories. People can falsely recall memories and feel confident about them. Older adults tend to be more susceptible to this than younger adults. One explanation is that older adults have more difficulty correctly identifying information as false because they have trouble linking content information to its context. Also, older adults have more trouble separating misleading context from context that is relevant. This may help explain why older adults are more susceptible to misleading information in general.
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Memory saver. The part numbers represent components from Radio Shack®.
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