Current-events knowledge in adults: an investigation of age, intelligence, and nonability determinants.
This study expanded the scope of knowledge typically included in intellectual assessment to incorporate domains of current-events knowledge from the 1930s to the 1990s across the areas of art/humanities, politics/economics, popular culture, and nature/science/technology. Results indicated that age of participants was significantly and positively related to knowledge about current events. Moreover, fluid intelligence was a less effective predictor of knowledge levels than was crystallized intelligence. Personality (i.e. Openness to Experience) and self-concept were also positively related to current-events knowledge. The results are consistent with an investment theory of adult intellect, which views development as an ongoing outcome of the combined influences of intelligence-as-process, personality, and interests, leading to intelligence-as-knowledge (P. L. Ackerman, 1996b).
Beier
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Margaret School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Psychology Building, 274 5th Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0170, USA. gt7206b@prism.gatech.edu
Ackerman
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged