Intellectual functioning in a 70‐year‐old urban population

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Abstract
A subsample of 229 elderly persons in Sweden was studied using several intelligence tests. Measurements were made of verbal meaning, reasoning, spatial ability, perceptual speed and logical thinking and observation (Raven''s Colored Progressive Matrices) [RCPM]. No sex differences were observed except with RCPM, where the men had a better score. Among the women, those with a higher education had a better score. Norm-tables for the different tests were presented. In cross-sectional comparisons, the average general cognitive capability was good, even though the 70-yr-olds had a greater incidence of mental disorders than younger individuals and more often were living in social situations that could have influenced basic physical and mental functions. The perceptual speed was the only ability that showed a marked change at the age of 70.