Visual and auditory performance variations with age: Some implications

Abstract

The ability to see visual detail in objects moving at angular velocities ranging from 20° to 150° per second was examined in 492 male and female Ss, age range 20 to 80 years. Dynamic visual acuity declined with age, and was generally poorer in females than in males. Sex differences in visual and auditory acuity are ascribed to influences of training and experience. Some implications are made concerning the effects of peripheral variables upon performance in psychological tests. Groups differing in dynamic visual acuity obtain different scores in tests such as Raven's Matrices but show little difference in verbal tests. It is suggested that some of the decline in ability which occurs with age in certain tests may be due to changes in efficiency of the visual processes.