Performance on Tests of Power and Speed as Related to Age among Male Job Applicants

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred J. Thumin
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Reading Speed ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Mental Ability ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Verbal Comprehension ◽  
Ability Tests ◽  
Aging Worker ◽  
Comprehension Tests

A number of ability tests were administered to 187 male job applicants ranging in age from twenty to fifty-three years. When test-performance was compared across age groups, no significant differences were found on tests of mental ability, numerical ability, reading speed and comprehension, and mechanical comprehension. On one of two verbal comprehension tests, scores increased significantly as a function of age. Moreover, the older individuals were not penalized in any way by tests which emphasized speed as opposed to power. The findings were discussed in connection with the generally negative stereotype of the aging worker.

Sex Differences on the German Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children (WISC-IV)

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutz Goldbeck ◽  
Monika Daseking ◽  
Susanne Hellwig-Brida ◽  
Hans C. Waldmann ◽  
Franz Petermann
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Verbal Comprehension ◽  
Verbal Comprehension Index ◽  
German Edition ◽  
Perceptual Reasoning

This study investigates cognitive sex differences in child and adolescent intelligence as measured by the WISC-IV (German edition; Petermann & Petermann, 2007 ). It was hypothesized that there would be no differences attributable to sex in Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), but on various composite score levels. Sex effects were expected to be more pronounced during/after puberty than before. Method: The standardization sample of the German WISC-IV (N = 1650) was used to assess and evaluate sex differences in test performance across defined age groups (6–9, 10–12, and 13–16 years). Results: At all ages, there were no gender effects in the Full-Scale IQ, but gender effects favoring boys in the Verbal Comprehension Index (t = 3.94, p < .001, d = .19) and Perceptual Reasoning Index (t = 2.69, p = .007, d = .13). In the Processing Speed Index, girls scored higher than boys (t = 6.75, p < .001, d = .33). No significant sex-by-age interaction effect was found using ANOVA, but various 1-df contrasts showed substantial sex differences at specific ages. Conclusions: Results are discussed in the context of the specific constructs measured by the WISC-IV, taking into account recent findings in neurobiological and developmental psychology.

Two Construct Validity Studies of the Thumin Test of Mental Dexterity

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 884-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Thumin ◽  
Avner Stern
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Mental Ability ◽  
Vocational Counseling ◽  
Verbal Comprehension ◽  
Validity Studies ◽  
Counseling Clients

Construct validity of the Thumin Test of Mental Dexterity was studied in two ways: (a) by relating test scores to level of formal education among 168 male job applicants and (b) by correlating test scores with WAIS IQs among 32 vocational counseling clients. Mental ability, as measured by the Thumin scale, increased significantly with increasing levels of education as did scores on the numerical and verbal comprehension subtests. In the second investigation, mental ability scores on the scale correlated .91 with WAIS IQs, and .92 with WAIS verbal scores of 32 clients for vocational counseling.

MMPI Profiles as a Function of Chronological Age

1968 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 479-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred J. Thumin
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Mental Ability ◽  
Middle Aged

MMPI and Otis mental ability scores were studied as a function of chronological age among 176 male job applicants who were referred to a psychological consulting firm for evaluation. Ss were divided into four groups, with mean ages of 24.8, 31.4, 37.7, and 45.1 yr., and the groups were relatively well matched in terms of formal education. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences among the scores made by the various age groups on any of the 13 basic scales of the MMPI or on the Otis. The results failed to support the popular notion that middle-aged workers are risky prospects for employment because, as compared with their younger counterparts, they are relatively defensive, threatened, rigid, subjective in their evaluations, difficult to get along with, and lacking in adaptability and mental alertness.

Exploring which test-taker characteristics predict young L2 learners’ performance on listening and reading comprehension tests

2021 ◽  
pp. 026553222199113
Author(s):  
Sarah Sok ◽  
Hye Won Shin ◽  
Juhyun Do
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Test Taker ◽  
Phonological Working Memory ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Comprehension Tests ◽  
Reading Comprehension Tests

Test-taker characteristics (TTCs), or individual difference variables, are known to be a systematic source of variance in language test performance. Although previous research has documented the impact of a range of TTCs on second language (L2) learners’ test performance, few of these studies have involved young learners. Given that young L2 learners undergo rapid maturational changes in their cognitive abilities, are susceptible to affective factors in unique ways, and have little autonomy with respect to the context of L2 acquisition, the relationship between their personal attributes and their test performance merit separate research attention. To fill this gap, we investigated the extent to which sixth-grade, Korean-L1, EFL learners’ ( n = 107) TTCs predicted their performance on tests of L2 listening and reading comprehension. The TTCs under investigation included three cognitive characteristics (aptitude, phonological working memory, L1 competence), one affective factor (motivation), and two demographic variables (socioeconomic status and gender). Results showed that aptitude and phonological working memory significantly predicted participants’ performance on both L2 listening and reading comprehension tests, whereas motivation predicted performance on the L2 listening comprehension test only. These findings suggest that higher aptitude, phonological working memory, and motivation contribute positively to young learners’ L2 outcomes.

scholarly journals Parasitic fauna of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in Sweden (1997–1998)

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Per-Arne Åhlen ◽  
Göran Sjöberg ◽  
Margareta Stéen
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Castor Fiber ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Parasitic Fauna ◽  
Eurasian Beaver ◽  
Norwegian Population ◽  
Stichorchis Subtriquetrus ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background The parasitic fauna of beavers (Castor fiber and C. canadensis) has been well studied in many parts of their respective areas of distribution. In Scandinavia there have, however, been limited investigations conducted on the parasites of beavers in recent times. The present study is the first quantitative survey of parasites on beavers living in Sweden and elsewhere in Scandinavia. We investigated the parasitic fauna of the Eurasian beaver (C. fiber) in a North–South gradient in Sweden. The aim of the study was to investigate parasite distribution and prevalence in particular, related to average yearly air temperature and different age groups of beavers. A total of 30 beavers were sampled at eight localities, spanning a 720 km North–South gradient during the springs of 1997 and 1998. Results Five parasite taxa were identified. Four of these were present in all of the examined beavers, Stichorchis subtriquetrus (trematode), Travassosius rufus (nematode), Platypsyllus castoris (coleopteran), and Schizocarpus spp. (arachnid). A higher number of new infections of S. subtriquetrus, and more adults of T. rufus, were seen in beavers in southern Sweden where temperatures are higher. One-year old beavers had a higher infestation of S. subtriquetrus, but not of T. rufus, than older individuals. Conclusions The parasite fauna of Swedish beavers mirrored the impoverished parasite fauna of the original Norwegian population, and the high prevalence of parasites could be due to low major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism. Young beavers had a higher load of trematodes, probably depending on behavioural and ecological factors. Warmer temperatures in southern localities likely contributed to increased endoparasite loads.

scholarly journals Normative data for healthy elderly on the phonemic verbal fluency task - FAS

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Helena Machado ◽  
Helenice Charchat Fichman ◽  
Etelvina Lucas Santos ◽  
Viviane Amaral Carvalho ◽  
Patrícia Paes Fialho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Verbal Fluency Task ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Phonemic Verbal Fluency ◽  
Student’S T

Abstract Phonemic verbal fluency tests assess the production of words beginning with specific letters. Of these letters, the most frequently used are F, A and S. It is a sensitive test for assessing frontal lobe functions. Objective: To provide normative data for the elderly Brazilian population on the FAS test and to investigate the effects of age and schooling on test performance. Methods: The individuals were divided into three age groups (60-69, 70-79 and ³80 years), and into four groups according to education (1-3, 4-7, 8-11 and ³12 years). All subjects were assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination and the FAS. Data were analyzed with Student's t test, ANOVA, simple linear regression and Spearman's correlation. Results: We evaluated 345 cognitively healthy volunteers, 66.66% being female, aged 60 to 93 years, with an educational level ranging from one to 24 years. The average (number of items) ±SD for the whole sample was 28.28±11.53. No significant effect of gender was observed (p=0.5). Performance on the MMSE and education exerted a direct influence on FAS scores (p<0.001), with education being the most significant factor. A positive correlation was found between FAS and the MMSE (r=0.404; p<0.001). Conclusion: The performance of Brazilian elderly on the phonemic verbal fluency tests-FAS is significantly influenced by education, where individuals with higher educational level present better performance than those with fewer years of schooling. Age and gender did not prove significant with the FAS.

Validity of using translucent zones of otoliths to age the pilchard Sardinops sagax neopilchardus from Albany, Western Australia

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ Fletcher ◽  
SJ Blight
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Commercial Catch ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Lower Accuracy ◽  
Sardinops Sagax ◽  
Catch Rates

Otoliths (sagittae) of the pilchard (Sardinops sagax neopilchardus) from the Albany region of Western Australia were examined on a monthly basis during 1989 to 1991. When read consecutively, with the month of capture known, a clear annual cycle of an increase in marginal increments to October followed by a decline was recorded. This pattern was, however, severely distorted when samples were re-examined after having been jumbled and the month of capture concealed. Younger age groups (≤3) showed evidence of multiple rings being formed annually, but not in all years or individuals, and this was not evident in older individuals (≥4). Agreement between readings was low (43-53%), especially between different readers. Resultant growth curves showed that males grow to a smaller size (L∞ =164, K = 0.805, Φ = 1.03) than females (L∞ = 174, K = 0.584, Φ= 0.95). Agreement between counts of annuli and ages estimated by using otolith weight and length was only 54% for all individuals, but increased to 76% for individuals assigned the same age by different readers. Given the poorer predictions of future catch rates from the relative number of 2-year-olds in the commercial catch using annuli (implying lower accuracy) and increased complexity in preparation, otolith weights will be the method adopted for future ageing.

scholarly journals Age-related mortality in 61,993 confirmed COVID-19 cases over three epidemic waves in Aragon, Spain. Implications for vaccination programmes

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261061
Author(s):  
Diego Casas-Deza ◽  
Vanesa Bernal-Monterde ◽  
Angel Nicolás Aranda-Alonso ◽  
Enrique Montil-Miguel ◽  
Ana Belen Julián-Gomara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Age Related

Background Risk for severe COVID-19 increases with age. Different vaccination strategies are currently being considered, including those aimed at slowing down transmission and those aimed at providing direct protection to those most at risk. Methods The objectives of the current study were i) to assess age-related incidence and survival between PCR-diagnosed COVID-19 cases (n = 61,993) in the Autonomous Community of Aragon from March to November 2020, and ii) to characterize age differences regarding the course of the disease in hospitalized patients in a tertiary university hospital. Results We found a similar incidence of COVID-19 in individuals between 10 and 79 years. Incidence increased in those over 80 years possibly because of the elevated transmission within the nursing homes. We observed a profound disparity among age groups; case fatality rates (CFRs) were near 0 in cases younger than 39 years throughout different waves. In contrast, there was an age-dependent and progressive increase in the CFRs, especially during the first pandemic wave. SARS-CoV-2 infection caused a more severe and rapid progression in older patients. The elderly required faster hospitalization, presented more serious symptoms on admission, and had a worse clinical course. Hospitalized older individuals, even without comorbidities, had an increased mortality risk directly associated with their age. Lastly, the existence of comorbidities dramatically increased the CFRs in the elderly, especially in males. Conclusion The elevated incidence of COVID-19 and the vulnerability of the elderly call for their prioritization in vaccination and targeted prevention measures specifically focused on this aged population.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 transmission across age groups in France and implications for control

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Tran Kiem ◽  
Paolo Bosetti ◽  
Juliette Paireau ◽  
Pascal Crépey ◽  
Henrik Salje ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Targeted Intervention ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Better Than

AbstractThe shielding of older individuals has been proposed to limit COVID-19 hospitalizations while relaxing general social distancing in the absence of vaccines. Evaluating such approaches requires a deep understanding of transmission dynamics across ages. Here, we use detailed age-specific case and hospitalization data to model the rebound in the French epidemic in summer 2020, characterize age-specific transmission dynamics and critically evaluate different age-targeted intervention measures in the absence of vaccines. We find that while the rebound started in young adults, it reached individuals aged ≥80 y.o. after 4 weeks, despite substantial contact reductions, indicating substantial transmission flows across ages. We derive the contribution of each age group to transmission. While shielding older individuals reduces mortality, it is insufficient to allow major relaxations of social distancing. When the epidemic remains manageable (R close to 1), targeting those most contributing to transmission is better than shielding at-risk individuals. Pandemic control requires an effort from all age groups.

scholarly journals The problem of pertussis in some regions of the world

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A Basov ◽  
O. V Tsvirkun ◽  
A. G Gerasimova ◽  
A. K Zekoreeva
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Immunization Coverage ◽  
Cell Vaccine ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Immunization Schedule ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Pertussis Infection ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
National Immunization

Pertussis infection remains a high-priority issue both for Russian health care and abroad. A rise of pertussis incidence in various human age groups instigates a search for new ways to fight this infection and improve methods for its laboratory diagnostics. By taking into consideration a short-term effect induced by acellular and whole-cell vaccines, a feasibility of introducing the second or even the third pertussis revaccination is vigorously debated. Objective of the study was to analyze the experience and effectiveness of acellular pertussis vaccines in countries, which use the second and third pertussis revaccination in the National Immunization Schedule in order to have an insight into adjusting strategy and tactics of pertussis immunization In Russia. Analyzing pertussis prevalence demonstrated that despite a wide immunization coverage pertussis incidence in the last years (2008–2015) was increased in a large number of countries in the European region, as well as inAustralia,CanadaandUSA. However, the reasons for elevated pertussis incidence have not been clarified yet. On one hand, it may be accounted for by low vaccination coverage in adolescents and adults; weakened immune protection after vaccination; genetic changes in Bordetella pertussis; shortened durability of protective immunity in children vaccinated with acellular vs. whole-cell vaccine; improved monitoring and morbidity reporting, as well as improved laboratory diagnostics due to shifting from serological and bacteriological to molecular genetic assays. In an attempt to solve this issue, researchers from several countries collaborate to discuss and develop a strategy to reduce pertussis incidence. ForRussia, the most important is to empower and/or improve existing infant immunization strategy in order to provide wide coverage with the four dose pertussis vaccine for decreasing the risk of pertussis morbidity and mortality. It is worth noting the “cocoon” strategy given the high risk of pertussis infection in children of the first months of life. We believe that forRussiait is worth investigating an opportunity of using children 2–3 months of life an acellular vaccine as the first vaccination, which is expected to increase the coverage of this cohort and allow to increase proportion of children who might complete vaccination by 5 months of age. At the same time, more reasonable might be to preserve a number of age groups for pertussis vaccination in the current National Immunization Schedule, as expanding age limits for vaccination might put a risk at increasing pertussis morbidity in older individuals, which could be hard to diagnose. 

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