In Dr. Goldberg's
view, in one respect, brains improve with age:
having been through more, they can see patterns
in the world around them. Which, in turn, gives
older people an improved ability to size up
situations and solve problems without going
through the step-by-step assessments a younger
person might need. Such pattern recognition
makes for know-how -- or wisdom -- and can
compensate for age-related declines in memory or
attention. This skill, according to Goldberg,
becomes more important over time. In his
estimate, it can also be enhanced through the
use of computer-based mental exercises.
