Question

Middle-aged and older adults are especially likely to do worse than younger adults when tested ________.

A. In a familiar environment
B. Under time pressure
C. In a low-stakes situation
D. Without distractions

Answer 1

Middle-aged and older adults are especially likely to do worse than younger adults when tested without distractions due to age-related changes in the brain.

Step-by-step explanation:

Middle-aged and older adults are especially likely to do worse than younger adults when tested without distractions.

Research has shown that the aging brain undergoes changes that can impair cognitive function, such as decreased ability to focus and reduced processing speed. These changes can make it more difficult for older adults to perform well on tasks that require sustained attention and working memory.

For example, a study by Forstmann and colleagues (2011) found that older participants made more errors and were slower in a task that required them to report the direction of movement of dots. This can be attributed to degeneration of corticostriatal connections in the brain.