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Age changes on tests of fluid and crystallized ability for women and men on the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT) at ages 17-94 years

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Kaufman, A. S., Horn, J. L.·1996·Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
DOI 10.1093/arclin/11.2.97
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Abstract

Within a norm sample of 1,500 men and women, 17-94 years of age (13 age groupings), using Multivariate Analysis of Variance and Covariance, it was found that four measures designed to indicate fluid reasoning (Gf) and the composite measure of Gf declined steadily over the entire adulthood period, the decline accelerating during the period beginning at about age 55 years. Also, four measures of crystallized knowledge (Gc) and the composite measure of Gc increased through the 20s, neither increased nor decreased through mid-adulthood until about age 60 years, and declined thereafter. For the composite measures of Gf and Gc, there were no main effects or interaction effects associated with Gender. When educational attainment was covaried, small but statistically significant Gender main effects were found for four of the subtest measures of Gf and Gc; significant Gender x Age interaction effects were found for two subtests. Interpreted within Gf-Gc theory, the results replicate and extend evidence of the adulthood development of cognitive capabilities.

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  • Prior cross-sectional research shows crystallized abilities increase from adolescence through the 50s or 60s and are maintained until about age 75, then decline rapidly, while fluid abilities and processing speed peak in the 20s and decline steadily thereafter.

    “In general, prior cross-sectional research shows increases in crystallized abilities from adolescence through to one’s 50s or 60s, and maintenance until about age 75, before these abilities decline rapidly into old age (Kaufman and Horn 1996); by contrast, fluid abilities and processing speed peak during one’s 20s, and then display a steady and often precipitous decline through to old age (Kaufman”

    From Cognitive Aging Revisited: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the WAIS-5 (2025) · cites this paper as Kaufman and Horn 1996

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  • The present results are consistent with previous cross-sectional results from every Wechsler scale since Wechsler-Bellevue, Salthouse's analyses, Woodcock-Johnson results, and adult versions of Kaufmans' tests, providing strong evidence that intelligence is measured by Wechsler's scales.

    “the present results are consistent with previous cross-sectional results—from every Wechsler scale since Wechsler–Bellevue”

    From Cognitive Aging Revisited: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the WAIS-5 (2025) · cites this paper as Kaufman and Horn 1996

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  • These results align with previous cross-sectional studies in terms of the crest and decline, but the stability in the profile throughout middle age was relatively novel compared to WAIS-III findings, which indicated a more drastic downturn.

    “These results align with findings from previous cross-sectional studies (Kaufman 2001; Kaufman and Horn 1996) in terms of the “crest” and decline; however, the stability in the profile throughout middle age was relatively novel in comparison to the WAIS-III’s findings (Kaufman 2001), which indicated a more drastic downturn.”

    From Cognitive Aging Revisited: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the WAIS-5 (2025) · cites this paper as Kaufman and Horn 1996

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Authors
Kaufman, A. S., & Horn, J. L.
Affiliations
University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Kaufman, A. S.
Venue
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
1996-01-01
Volume
11
Issue
2
Pages
97-121
ISSN
  • 0887-6177 (ISSN-L)
  • 1873-5843
DOI
10.1093/arclin/11.2.97
OpenAlex
W2042669723
Cited by
92
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical and Modern Theater Studies
Keywords
fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, age differences, cognitive aging, gender differences, educational attainment

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