Age Difference Patterns of Psychometric Intelligence in Adulthood: Generalizability Within and Across Ability Domains

Cross-sectional data from the 5th (1984) wave of the Seattle Longitudinal Study are reported with regard to the generalizability of age differences in psychometric intelligence within and across ability domains. Ss were 1,628 community-dwelling individuals drawn from a Pacific Northwest health maintenance organization. Age difference patterns of 9 groups with mean ages from 29 to 88 years are examined for the ability domains of verbal ability, spatial orientation, inductive reasoning, numeric ability, verbal memory, and perceptual speed. Each ability is marked by 3 or 4 observed variables.