Which of the following statements is true about people who have more formal educational training?

• A. They are more likely to experience early onset of cognitive decline.
• B. They are less likely to develop cognitive skills compared to those with less education.
• C. They show slower rates of cognitive development in adulthood.
• D. They tend to perform better on tasks requiring abstract reasoning.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of cognitive reserve, which suggests that individuals with more formal education develop a greater capacity to cope with brain changes and maintain cognitive function longer.
2. Step 2: Recognize that formal education enhances cognitive skills such as abstract reasoning, problem-solving, and memory, which are crucial for complex mental tasks.
3. Step 3: Analyze the statements by comparing them to established psychological research findings about education and cognitive aging.
4. Step 4: Identify that people with more formal education are generally not more likely to experience early cognitive decline; rather, they often show resilience against it.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement 'They tend to perform better on tasks requiring abstract reasoning' aligns with research showing that education improves higher-order cognitive abilities.