Final answer:
The theory suggesting that all parts of the nervous system, including the brain, become less efficient with age is often referred to as the general slowdown theory. Older adults and even children demonstrate similar patterns of neurological processing due to neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, respectively. Concepts like Selective Optimization with Compensation theory underscore how people adapt to these changes over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that processing in all parts of the nervous system, including the brain, is less efficient and slows down with increasing age is known as the general slowdown theory. Research indicates that as people age, they may experience a decline in various cognitive functions and an increased likelihood of developing neurological conditions or diseases.
For instance, Forstmann and colleagues (2011) found that older participants in their study demonstrated slower reaction times and more errors, suggesting a degradation in the corticostriatal connections which is critical for processing speed and cognitive control. Moreover, similar patterns were found in children aged 6-7 and adults over 80, attributed to the ongoing development in children and neurodegeneration in older adults, as noted by Ruggiero, D'Errico, & Iachini (2016).
Furthermore, Baltes and Baltes (1990) developed the Selective Optimization with Compensation theory, focusing on how individuals adapt throughout their lives to maximize their personal development and handle everyday lives' challenges. As part of coping with aging and its associated body and brain function declines, people focus on select goals where they can exert optimal effort and compensate where there is a loss of function or ability.
These theories and observations demonstrate the complexity of the nervous system and how aging impacts its efficiency, further highlighting the importance of understanding neurogenesis, the role of myelinated axons, and how conditions like Alzheimer's can affect cognitive capacity.