Which of the following is most likely to occur in the typical older adult?

• A. A gradual decline in processing speed
• B. Complete loss of emotional regulation
• C. Improvement in fluid intelligence
• D. Significant loss of long-term memory

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key cognitive and emotional changes that typically occur with aging in older adults.
2. Recognize that processing speed tends to decline gradually as part of normal aging, affecting how quickly an individual can perform mental tasks.
3. Know that emotional regulation generally remains stable or can even improve with age, so a complete loss of emotional regulation is unlikely.
4. Recall that fluid intelligence, which involves problem-solving and reasoning abilities, usually declines rather than improves in older adults.
5. Understand that significant loss of long-term memory is not typical; while some memory changes occur, severe long-term memory loss is more characteristic of pathological conditions, not normal aging.