In cognitive psychology, which cognitive ability is most universally observed to decline with age?

• A. Vocabulary knowledge
• B. Processing speed
• C. Implicit memory
• D. Emotional intelligence

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question is asking about cognitive abilities and how they change with age, specifically which one declines most universally.
2. Recall that vocabulary knowledge tends to remain stable or even improve with age, so it is unlikely to be the correct answer.
3. Consider implicit memory, which is often preserved well in aging individuals, so it is also less likely to decline universally.
4. Emotional intelligence often remains stable or can improve with age due to life experience and social skills development.
5. Processing speed, however, is widely documented in cognitive psychology research to decline with age, making it the most universally observed decline among the options.