Although aging can often be viewed with fear, a new study shows that there are also reasons to look at the middle age with optimism. The researchers claim that, for many of us, the general psychological operation reaches the peak between 55 and 60 years. This explains why people in this age category often excel in solving complex problems and leadership roles.
The age at which the brain reaches the height of photo performance: DMS
Previous studies show that people reach their maximum physical performance between 20 and 30 years. Brute intellectual capacities, such as reasoning, memory and speed of information processing, usually begin to decrease in the middle of the twenty years, a new study published in the Intelligence magazine shows. This is also reflected in reality: athletes reach their peak before 30 years, mathematicians contribute major until the age of 35, and chess champions rarely perform after 40 years.
However, when we look beyond the gross processing power, the image changes.
From reasoning to emotional stability
The study has been focused on well -established psychological features, which can be accurately measured and reflects sustainable characteristics, not temporary states. The researchers identified 16 psychological dimensions, including basic cognitive skills – reasoning, memory, processing speed, knowledge and emotional intelligence, as well as the five main personality traits: extraversion, emotional stability, conscience, openness to experience and agreability.
By comparing existing studies on a common scale, the researchers were able to follow how these traits evolve throughout their lives.
The tip touches later in life
Many of these features reach the height much later. “Consciousness reached the peak around the age of 65, and emotional stability was maximum around the age of 75”Explains the study. The ability to withstand cognitive prejudices, mental shortcuts that can lead to irrational decisions, often improves until the 1970s and even 80s.
When the researchers combined the trajectories of the 16 dimensions in a weighted index, it resulted in a clear model: the general mental operation reaches the peak between 55 and 60 years, then it begins to decrease after 65, with a more accentuated decrease.
Overcoming prejudices related to age
The results of the research can explain why many demanding management positions are occupied by people around the age of 50-60. “Although some skills decrease with age, they are compensated by the growth of other important features. They support a better judgment and more balanced decisions – essential qualities at the top level“, Notes the study.
However, older employees often face difficulties in re -entering the labor market, either due to employers’ perceptions, or age limits imposed on specific roles, such as pilots or controllers of air traffic. Experiences vary, and some people maintain their cognitive skills up to old age.
A peak, not a decline
The study emphasizes the need for more inclusive practices related to employment and maintaining in positions. History is full of examples: Charles Darwin has published the origin of species at 50, Ludwig van Beethoven had the premiere of the ninth symphony at 53, and Lisa Su, at 55, led Advanced Micro Devices through a major technological transformation.
“Maybe it is time not to treat the middle age as an inverse count, but to recognize it as a real performance peak.”, The researchers conclude.
