Is it possible to slow down cognitive aging or benefits of education in middle and late adulthood

The results of longitudinal study on influence of education in middle and late adulthood on cognitive processing are analyzed in the article. The research has been conducted since the October 2014 and 21 persons aged 51-63 participate in it. All participants are the students of the program for professional retraining in "Practical Psychology". The duration of the program is 2.5 years. All participants are pensioners university-educated in different spheres (engineering, economy, teaching etc.) and did not work at the beginning of the program. Learning psychology was a new sphere for all of them and this was a key point for the research. Characteristics of cognitive processes were measured every two months along with person's psychological status and the level of psychological comfort. The study has found that the education in middle and late adulthood led to positive changing in cognitive sphere and increase in subjective well-being indices. Statistically significant changes were observed since the second term of learning. The participants re-imagined their own cognitive functioning; they considered that their memory, attention, efficiency and cognitive awareness became more effective while objective data did not confirm the latter. Substantial improvement in cognitive functioning became observable only at the end of the second term after half - year training. So, the study demonstrated possibility to change psychological status and cognitive functioning of middle aged and elderly people during acquirement. © 2018 Northern State Medical University. All rights reserved