Is education associated with improvements in general cognitive ability, or in specific skills?

Developmental Psychology
Stuart J RitchieIan J Deary

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that education influences cognitive development, but it is unclear what, precisely, is being improved. Here, we tested whether education is associated with cognitive test score improvements via domain-general effects on general cognitive ability (g), or via domain-specific effects on particular cognitive skills. We conducted structural equation modeling on data from a large (n = 1,091), longitudinal sample, with a measure of intelligence at age 11 years and 10 tests covering a diverse range of cognitive abilities taken at age 70. Results indicated that the association of education with improved cognitive test scores is not mediated by g, but consists of direct effects on specific cognitive skills. These results suggest a decoupling of educational gains from increases in general intellectual capacity.

Citations

Sep 4, 2015·Acta Neuropathologica Communications·Christopher M HenstridgeTara L Spires-Jones
Oct 6, 2016·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Michael A Woodley
Oct 21, 2016·Twin Research and Human Genetics : the Official Journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·Michael A Woodley Of MenieKevin M Beaver
Feb 6, 2017·Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism : Official Journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism·Joanna M WardlawIan J Deary
Jun 9, 2017·Applied Neuropsychology. Adult·Louise M LavrencicHannah A D Keage
Oct 5, 2016·Psychological Science in the Public Interest : a Journal of the American Psychological Society·Daniel J SimonsElizabeth A L Stine-Morrow
Jun 19, 2018·Psychological Science·Stuart J Ritchie, Elliot M Tucker-Drob
Jul 18, 2018·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Christos PliatsikasMichael T Ullman
May 15, 2020·European Psychiatry : the Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists·Layla LavalléJérome Brunelin
Dec 8, 2019·Developmental Science·Monica Melby-LervågArne Lervåg
Aug 11, 2020·Psychological Science in the Public Interest : a Journal of the American Psychological Society·Martin LövdénElliot M Tucker-Drob
Sep 7, 2020·International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship·Marie Grace Sandra MusabwasoniAnaclet Ngabonzima
Apr 23, 2019·European Stroke Journal·Stephen Dj MakinJoanna M Wardlaw
Jul 20, 2019·International Journal of Tryptophan Research : IJTR·Adrian C Williams, Lisa J Hill
Apr 18, 2020·European Journal of Neurology : the Official Journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies·L ZhangH H Ye
Aug 8, 2020·Applied Neuropsychology. Adult·Danielle C HergertJoseph R Sadek
Jul 21, 2017·International Braz J Urol : Official Journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology·Larissa R FerreiraJoão L Amaro
Jan 12, 2019·NPJ Science of Learning·H Moriah Sokolowski, Daniel Ansari
Jun 5, 2019·Journal of Intelligence·Harrison J Kell, Jonas W B Lang
Jan 23, 2020·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Margherita MalanchiniRobert Plomin
Dec 10, 2020·Clinical Interventions in Aging·Magdalena I ToleaJames E Galvin
Jan 9, 2021·Psychological Science in the Public Interest : a Journal of the American Psychological Society·Drew H BaileyDavid S Yeager
Mar 9, 2021·Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition·Benjamin David WilliamsTarani Chandola
Apr 4, 2021·Scientific Reports·Dhanya ParameshwaranTara C Thiagarajan
May 25, 2021·Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS·Wobbie van den HurkAnders Gustavsson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

OpenMx
R
Mplus

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.