Ageing is the imminent stage of life. It represents the changes accretion in humans. We categorize information changes or consider it in another way as we get older. We have seen, various older people make slower responses even by harder intensifying. But, according to new research, our brain learns some useful tricks to decrease ageing effects as much as possible.
Scientists recruited 17 young subjects and 10 elder subjects for this study. Participants were then instructed to set circles with various color combinations according to their correct categories.
Some color combinations were very similar whereas others are completely different. Then participants start to give feedback according to test levels.
Both younger and older volunteers sort out the similar circles without any problem. But elder group found it complex to sort different circles.
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Scientists noted, “Results indicate that elderly subjects compensate for cognitive decline through enhancing perceptual and attentional processing of individual stimulus features.”
Sabrina Schenk said, “There are two main strategies which we use to categorise things. While noticing similar looking members, we must specifically learn exceptions and memorise them. Older people find it complex to change a strategy into the other.”
Scientists used eye trackers and EEG machines in research to track progress. They unveil, “the elder group was using a particular kind of selective attentiveness. They were paying more attention to details than the younger group.”
At particular extent, the brain is able to increase its level of attentiveness. Thus it decreases negative effects of ageing. Meanwhile, there might be less brain power to go around, but it’s targeted more effectively.
Scientists said, “Study retreats the idea that we learn initially through abstraction-based processing – selecting only the relevant bits of information initially – and afterwards through an exemplary memorization stage.”
The team will further discover the same effects in much larger sample size. This may cause techniques to help the elder train their attention.
The study suggests, “No need to worry about growing older even if you feel bad about it. Our brain is already working on it. And, it’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of keeping your brain active.”