Inteligência e criatividade na maturidade e velhice

Abstract

This study aimed to compare cognitive and creative skills between people in maturity and elderly, checking the influence of sex, age and educational level, and comparing test results with the participants self-assessment. Eighty one people (61.73% from 45 to 59 years and 38.27% over 60 years) participated in the survey. The tests Battery of Cognitive Abilities of Adults (BAIAD), Thinking Creatively with Words and Pictures, besides the Self-Assessment Scale about the Performance of Cognitive and Creative Skills, and Leisure and a Personal Data Questionnaire were used for data collection. The instruments were administered individually in three or more sessions in institutions for the elderly, after free and informed consent of participants. The results showed that the verbal tests, visual combination and creativity (verbal and pictorial) were affected only by the educational level (ANOVA). The memory tests were also under significant influence of schooling and the interactions among gender, age and education. Intelligence and creativity are correlated. The performance test was related to the participants self assessment by the scale. It is concluded that schooling is a significant factor in the cognitive and creative performance.