This is the time when our brain abilities complement each other perfectly, according to new study from psychology experts
Intelligence is experienced every day. It helps us reason, make decisions and interact effectively with others. It relies on multiple brain capacities: memory, logic, cognitive flexibility, social understanding… As we age, certain skills evolve, strengthen or weaken. We don’t always know it, but the brain reaches peak intelligence at a particular age. This is shown by a recent study carried out by Australian and Polish psychology specialists, focusing on overall cognitive and personality functioning.
These experts have created a “cognitive functioning and personality index”, which brings together cognitive abilities (memory, reasoning, processing speed), personality traits (emotional stability, judgment, etc.) and other key dimensions such as emotional intelligence, moral reasoning, empathy and taste for thinking. More than 5,000 adults, aged 18 to 99, were assessed using this tool. These tests made it possible to measure the performance of each participant on all of these abilities and to follow the evolution of brain functioning throughout adult life.
To understand how abilities evolve with age, researchers compared two approaches: a “classic” model, centered on cognitive abilities and basic personality traits, and a more “global” model, which also takes into account emotional intelligence, mental flexibility and even reasoning. The results, published in the journal “Intelligence”, show that certain skills, such as processing speed or working memory, decline from the age of 30, while others continue to strengthen. “Our results show that overall cognitive and personal functioning continues to develop well into midlife.” Thus, according to the more complete global model, peak intelligence is between 55 and 60 years old. At this age, experience and maturity combine to make the brain more efficient.
“It challenges many conventional assumptions about age and ability, and suggests that midlife may represent the true peak of psychological readiness.” They also emphasize that this period corresponds to the average peak in professional success observed in other studies. After age 60, certain cognitive abilities decline, but other components of intelligence (such as wisdom, emotional regulation, moral understanding) continue to evolve and compensate for the losses. To maintain one’s mental capital, the authors recall that intellectual stimulation, curiosity and social interactions are beneficial throughout. throughout life.
