Final answer:
The question refers to fluid intelligence, which allows for speedy and abstract reasoning and is known to decrease during late adulthood. Crystallized intelligence, in contrast, remains steady or improves with age. Mental stimulation can help delay the decline of fluid intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cognitive Development and Intelligence
The concept in question refers to fluid intelligence, which is the ability to reason speedily and abstractly. This type of intelligence is one aspect of cognitive abilities, distinct from crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence is known to decline during late adulthood, leading to slower information processing, reasoning, and memory.
During adolescence, cognitive development reaches a point where individuals move beyond concrete thinking to more complex forms such as abstract thought. This is part of what Piaget termed formal operational thought. As adolescents mature, they improve in areas like attention, memory, processing speed, and organization, and continue developing in areas like insight and judgment into early adulthood.
The decline in fluid intelligence can be contrasted with crystallized intelligence, which remains stable or can even improve with age. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities can help delay cognitive decline, and this is supported by research indicating that such activities reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia.