Openness as a Buffer Against Cognitive Decline: The Openness-Fluid-Crystallized-Intelligence (OFCI) Model Applied to Late Adulthood

Explaining cognitive decline in late adulthood is a major research area. Models using personality traits as possible influential variables are rare. This study tested assumptions based on an adapted version of the Openness-Fluid-Crystallized-Intelligence (OFCI) model. The OFCI model adapted to late...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology and aging 2015-09, Vol.30 (3), p.573-588
Main Authors: Ziegler, Matthias, Cengia, Anja, Mussel, Patrick, Gerstorf, Denis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Achievement
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Aging - psychology
Berlin
Cognition & reasoning
Cognition - physiology
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Cognitive Processes
Environmental Effects
Female
Human
Humans
Intelligence
Knowledge
Male
Models, Psychological
Openness to Experience
Personality traits
Theories
Thinking - physiology
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Explaining cognitive decline in late adulthood is a major research area. Models using personality traits as possible influential variables are rare. This study tested assumptions based on an adapted version of the Openness-Fluid-Crystallized-Intelligence (OFCI) model. The OFCI model adapted to late adulthood predicts that openness is related to the decline in fluid reasoning (Gf) through environmental enrichment. Gf should be related to the development of comprehension knowledge (Gc; investment theory). It was also assumed that Gf predicts changes in openness as suggested by the environmental success hypothesis. Finally, the OFCI model proposes that openness has an indirect influence on the decline in Gc through its effect on Gf (mediation hypothesis). Using data from the Berlin Aging Study (N = 516, 70-103 years at T1), these predictions were tested using latent change score and latent growth curve models with indicators of each trait. The current findings and prior research support environmental enrichment and success, investment theory, and partially the mediation hypotheses. Based on a summary of all findings, the OFCI model for late adulthood is suggested.
ISSN:0882-7974
1939-1498
DOI:10.1037/a0039493