Question

44-year-old Karen is fluent in two languages already and is learning her third... what does her ability to improve her intellectual functioning demonstrate?

a) The decline in cognitive abilities with age
b) The limits of adult language acquisition
c) The capacity for continued intellectual growth in middle adulthood
d) The negative impact of multilingualism on cognitive functioning

Answer 1

Karen's learning of a third language at age 44 demonstrates the capacity for continued intellectual growth and cognitive plasticity during middle adulthood.

Step-by-step explanation:

Karen's ability to learn a third language at the age of 44 exemplifies the capacity for continued intellectual growth in middle adulthood. Research indicates that while physical abilities may decline after our mid-20s, cognitive abilities such as crystallized intelligence tend to remain stable or even improve through middle adulthood. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, like language learning, contributes to maintaining and improving cognitive functioning, thereby helping to delay cognitive decline associated with aging. Moreover, the acquisition of language skills demonstrates plasticity in the brain, challenging the idea that there are strict limits on adult language acquisition.