For years it has been thought that we have a stage of cognitive splendor or maximum intelligence in which we can bring out our most creative side. Is it really like that? Is there a stage in which we reach the peak when it comes to cognitive abilities? What happens after that phase?
Now a research carried out on 3,305 people tries to elucidate these issues and suggests that the peak in our cognitive functions occurs at age 24. To reach these conclusions, they asked the participants to get involved in a strategy video game in which, obviously, they had to put into action not only their intelligence but also their creativity.
After analyzing thousands of hours of gaming, these psychologists discovered that after the age of 24, people begin to show a slight decline in the speed with which they make decisions, something that can be seen even in those who had good skills with video games.
In fact, these data are not entirely surprising since previous studies had found that our brain reaches its maximum weight during the ages of 19-25, which also means that at that stage we have the greatest number of neurons, available to establish new neural networks much faster and more efficiently. Later, between the ages of 45 and 50, the brain begins to undergo a process of decline.
All is not lost
There is still a silver lining for people past the age of 24. In fact, in the study in question it was also noted that older participants were slower in giving their answers but in compensation, they also tended to use more sophisticated solutions. Responding more slowly to the game allowed them to be more effective than young players by searching for much more interesting strategies.
Therefore, it may be true that from a certain age the speed of our cognitive functions decreases but we are able to compensate for this by resorting to more effective ways. In fact, another particularly interesting study analyzed the works of 221 famous painters who lived between 1800 and 2000 to assess when they had produced their most creative works. Thus they could see that the average age was 41 years.
What does this mean?
First of all, the supposed decline in cognitive functions can be compensated for in different ways. In fact, if there is something fantastic about our brain, it is its incredible flexibility.
Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence
It is true that the more the years pass, the more subject we are to what is known as functional fixation, a phenomenon that makes us go down the paths we have already traveled and opt for the solutions we know, which, on many occasions, can lead us to stagnation. However, not all people process the experience in the same way and many continue to opt for change.
That is why reference is made to crystallized intelligence which, unlike fluid intelligence, is based on the abilities, strategies and knowledge acquired throughout life. While fluid intelligence refers to intellectual speed, associative memory and deductions, crystallized intelligence focuses on making judgments, spatial orientation and verbal skills.
Obviously, fluid intelligence reaches its peak period around age 30 and then crystallized intelligence begins to develop. In reality, one is not better than the other but, in a certain way, they are complementary.
References:
Thompson, J. J. et. Al. (2014) Over the Hill at 24: Persistent Age-Related Cognitive-Motor Decline in Reaction Times in an Ecologically Valid Video Game Task Begins in Early Adulthood. PlosOne; 9(4).
Franses, P. H. (2013) When Do Painters Make Their Best Work? Creativity Research Journal; 25(4): 457-462.
