This paper draws on findings from an ongoing research project called ”Effects of a multi-module intervention designed to increase critical thinking and the ability to identify misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories in high school students”. The aim of this project is to empirically evaluate an educational intervention consisting of six one-hour sessions. The sessions include traditional lectures regarding critical thinking, misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories but also includes a game (Bad news), and group discussions, all designed to train high school students in critical thinking as well as the capacity to identify disinformation and conspiracy theories. The project combines competences from media and communication studies, psychology, political science, and data communication, and the intervention has so far been implemented in  three Swedish high schools. In the paper we discuss preliminary findings and experiences drawn from the first phase of the project. We will also discuss the applicability of the intervention, and challenges that we have identified. © Author/s

Aim: To investigate birth cohort differences in associations between cardiovascular risk and fluid cognition between the age of 70 and 79. Method: Data were drawn from representative population-based cohort samples (H70), born 1901–1902, 1906–1907, and 1930, measured at ages 70, 75, and 79 on fluid cognitive measures (spatial ability and logical reasoning). The Framingham Risk Score (FRS), derived from office-based nonlaboratory predictors (age, sex, systolic blood pressure, BMI, smoking, diabetes status), was used to measure cardiovascular risk. Multiple-group latent growth curve models were fitted to the data. Findings: Estimates revealed small associations between the FRS and fluid cognition. These associations were slightly reduced in the 1930 cohort. Conclusion: Findings suggest diminishing adverse effects of cardiovascular risk on cognitive aging in cohorts born later. © 2018 Hogrefe AG.

During the 20th century there has been a successive rise in mean intelligence (i.e. Flynn effect), where later born cohorts tend to outperform earlier born. Flynn effects have been reported regarding numerous cognitive abilities, and over age ranges from infants to 95 year olds. Less is known regarding possible birth cohort differences in rates of cognitive change in old age. We conducted a series of studies with the aim to investigate possible birth cohort differences in both level of cognitive performance and rate of change. We analyzed data from three representative, population based birth cohorts (born 1901-1902, 1906-07, and 1930) drawn from the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg (H70), with measures on the same cognitive tests at the same ages (i.e., 70, 75 and 79 years). The results showed that later born cohorts outperformed earlier born on all cognitive measures (i.e., spatial ability, logical reasoning, verbal ability, perceptual-motor-speed, and long-term recognition memory), but also that later born cohorts declined at a faster rate on three cognitive outcomes (spatial ability, reasoning, and perceptual-motor-speed). Cohort differences in level of cognitive performance were expected and in line with previous studies, but our findings of cohort differences in rate of change are novel. A potential explanation for the cohort differences in rate of cognitive decline relates to differences in the average age of onset of the cognitive decline due to cohort differences in cognitive reserve. Another possible explanation relates to possible cohort differences in selective survival.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate possible birth cohort differences in the proportion of individuals showing cognitive decline, stability or gain from age 70 to 79.

Method: We used data from three cohorts born in 1901-02, 1906-07, and 1930 measured at ages 70 and 79 years on four cognitive measures (i.e. spatial ability, figure identification, verbal meaning, and logical reasoning). We used the standard error of measurement (SEM=) at baseline (i.e. 70 years of age) to categorize participants as showing cognitive decline (if scores decreased by >1 SEM between ages 70 and 79), cognitive stability (if change was ≤1SEM), or cognitive gain (if increasing by >1 SEM).

Findings: χ²-tests indicated statistically significant birth cohort differences on all four cognitive measures, with weak to moderate effect sizes. For all four cognitive measures earlier born cohorts contained a smaller proportion of participants showing cognitive decline, and a larger proportion of participants showing gain, compared to later born cohorts. This was particularly evident when comparing the 1901-02 and 1930 cohorts.

Conclusion: These cohort differences may relate to cohort differences in cognitive reserve, selective survival, or psychometric properties of the cognitive tests.

Aim: A large body of evidence indicates that cardiovascular risk factors are related to neurodegenerative processes leading to cognitive decline and eventually dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate birth cohort differences in the effects of cardiovascular risk on cognitive performance and rate of cognitive change.

Method: We used data from three cohorts born in 1901-02, 1906-07, and 1930 measured at ages 70, 75, and 79 years on two fluid cognitive measures (i.e. spatial ability and logical reasoning). We used the Framingham Risk Score based on simple office-based non-laboratory predictors (age, systolic blood pressure, BMI, smoking and diabetes status) to calculate cardiovascular risk.

Findings: Estimates from multiple-group latent growth curve models (LGCM) revealed higher levels of cognitive performance but faster rate of decline in later born cohorts compared with earlier born cohorts. But most importantly, the results indicated no association between the Framingham risk score and cognitive performance or change.

Conclusion: Our findings suggests either no association between cardiovascular risk and cognition in old age, or  that the Framingham Risk Score, based on simple office-based non-laboratory predictors, may not be suitable for predicting cognitive functioning in old age.

The aim of this study was to investigate secular trends regarding proportions of individuals showing cognitive decline, stability, or gain between ages 70 and 79 years. For this purpose we analyzed data from three Swedish birth cohorts, born 1901-02, 1906-07, and 1930, and four cognitive measures (i.e. verbal meaning, figure identification, logical reasoning, and spatial ability). Using the standard error of measurement (SE_m) at baseline (i.e. 70 years of age), participants were categorized as showing cognitive decline (if decreasing by more the 1 SE_m between ages 70 and 79), gain (if increasing by more than 1 SE_m) or otherwise evincing stability. χ²-tests indicated statistically significant differences between the cohorts for all four cognitive measures. For all cognitive measures earlier born cohorts consisted of a smaller proportion of individuals showing cognitive decline, and a larger proportion showing cognitive gain compared to later born cohorts. Possible explanations for these results are discussed in terms of cohort differences in selective survival and/or cognitive reserve.

Later born cohorts of older adults tend to outperform earlier born on fluid cognition (i.e. Flynn effect) when measured at the same chronological ages. We investigated cohort differences in level of performance and rate of change across three population-based samples born in 1901, 1906, and 1930, drawn from the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H70), and measured on tests of logical reasoning and spatial ability at ages 70, 75 and 79 years. Estimates from multiple-group latent growth curve models (LGCM) revealed, in line with previous studies, substantial differences in level of performance where later born cohorts outperformed earlier born cohorts. Somewhat surprisingly later born cohorts showed, on average, a steeper decline than the earlier born cohort. Gender and education only partially accounted for observed cohort trends. Men outperformed women in the 1906 and 1930 cohorts but no difference was found in the 1901 cohort. More years of education was associated with improved performance in all three cohorts. Our findings confirm the presence of birth cohort effects also in old age but indicate a faster rate of decline in later born samples. Potential explanations for these findings are discussed. © 2015 American Psychological Association.

Objectives and Method: Later born cohorts of older adults tend to outperform earlier born on fluid cognition (i.e. Flynn effect) when measured at the same chronological ages. We investigated cohort differences in level of performance and rate of change across three population-based samples born in 1901, 1906, and 1930, drawn from the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H70), and measured on tests of logical reasoning and spatial ability at ages 70, 75 and 79 years.

Results: Estimates from multiple-group latent growth curve models (LGCM) revealed, in line with previous studies, substantial differences in level of performance where later born cohorts outperformed earlier born cohorts. Somewhat surprisingly later born cohorts showed, on average, a steeper decline than the earlier born cohort. Gender and education only partially accounted for observed cohort trends. Men outperformed women in the 1906 and 1930 cohorts but no difference was found in the 1901 cohort. More years of education was associated with improved performance in all three cohorts.

Conclusion: Our findings confirm the presence of birth cohort effects also in old age but indicate a faster rate of decline in later born samples. Potential explanations for these findings are discussed in the context of neuropathology and cognitive reserve.

Findings from several studies reveal that later born cohorts tend on average to perform better on most measurements of fluid cognitive abilities in later life as compared with earlier born cohorts measured at the same age (i.e. Flynn effects). This study investigate cohort differences in level of cognitive functioning and rate of decline in a representative sample drawn from the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg (H70) including three birth cohorts born 1901/02, 1906/07 and 1930, and measured on tests of logical reasoning (Figure Logic) and spatial ability (Block Design), at ages 70, 75 and 79. Estimates from multiple-group latent growth curve models revealed, in accordance with previous studies, substantial cohort differences in level of performance were later born cohorts outperform earlier born. However, and somewhat surprisingly, later born cohorts also showed, on average, a steeper decline over the study period as compared with earlier born. Neither gender nor educational differences could account for the observed cohort trends. Potential explanations for these findings are further discussed in the context of neuropathology and cognitive reserve.

There is substantial heterogeneity in cognitive aging trajectories. Although the number of individuals showing cognitive decline increases with age, significant proportions remain stable or show gains. The aim of this study was to investigate birth cohort differences regarding proportions of individuals showing cognitive decline, stability, or gain between ages 70 and 79. We analyzed longitudinal data from three Swedish birth cohorts from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, born 1901-02, 1906-07 and 1930, measured on four cognitive measures (i.e., verbal meaning, figure identification, logical reasoning and spatial ability). We used the standard error of measurement (SEM=s√(1-r_xx) at baseline (i.e., 70 years of age) to categorize participants as showing cognitive decline (if scores decreased by >1 SEM between ages 70 and 79), cognitive stability (if change was ≤1SEM), or cognitive gain (if increasing by >1 SEM).

Analyses, using χ²- tests, showed that a substantial proportion remained stable over the 9-year period. Our findings also indicated significant cohort differences for all four cognitive measures, with weak to moderate effect sizes. Interestingly earlier born cohorts contained a higher proportion of participants showing cognitive gain and a smaller proportion showing cognitive decline, compared to later born cohorts. Possible explanations for these cohort differences may relate to cohort differences in cognitive reserve, selective survival and psychometric properties of the cognitive tests. These findings have implications for instance regarding the debate concerning postponing retirement age, and the use of cognitive tests in evaluations of for example work capability. © 2019 Karlsson P, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Introduction: Research has described improved health for persons with Parkinson's Disease (PD) who participate in dance classes. However, few studies focus on how relatives experience their life together with a partner who has PD and how the impact of Dance for Parkinson's Disease (DfPD) influences everyday life.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify and describe the impact of DfPD on subjective experiences of well-being and functioning in daily living as experienced by dancers and their relatives.

Methods: The study used a descriptive method design combining a questionnaire for the dancers at the end of the dance semester and focus group interviews with relatives during a national dance camp.

Results: Most of the dancers experienced DfPD as improving their balance, and both the dancers and relatives experienced increased joy and happiness in life. The results highlight health factors such as improved body movements and social interactions, which makes life easier and raises awareness of the importance of DfPD.

Conclusion: Dancers and relatives consistently experienced being part of a joyful and healthy exercise, testifying to the positive effects that DfPD has on subjective well-being and body functioning for persons with PD and their relatives. © 2024 The Authors

As pointed out by the political scientist Josef Uscinski conspiracy theories are about power, who has power and what they do with it when no one sees (Uscinski 2019, 48). Political scientists paid scant attention to conspiracy theories for a long time, though, due to the disciplinary focus on rational choice theory making it hard to accept voters as non-rational actors (Butter and Knight 2019, 37). This has changed in recent years though, to the extent that conspiracy theories can be called a fashionable subject for research, akin to populism and right-wing radicalism. The research has been inspired by empirical developments in the US (especially the presidency of Donald Trump 2016-2020) and US research methods and approaches often dominate, for instance when it comes to operationalizing and measurement of conspiracy theories. This paper does two things. First, it seeks to give an overview of what we know about conspiracy theories in the national context of Sweden and internationally, based on a bibliometric and thematic analysis of 1100 abstracts. Secondly, the paper uses a political science perspective to discuss a pilot project to translate and use the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (Brotherton et al 2013) at Halmstad University. Specific focus is put on connotations to the term “government” and how translation may impact answers in Swedish. 

A largely preserved cognition is a prerequisite for everyday-life functioning and wellbeing in old age. In this study we evaluate birth cohort differences as a contextual factor for level and rate of cognitive change from age 70 to 79 based on comparisons of two age-homogenous birth cohorts born 30 years apart (i.e. in 1901-02 and 1930). Data was drawn from the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H70, N=1176) including three repeated follow-up measures using a similar cognitive battery at each occasion. Our main finding, in line with previous reports is that of a substantial increase in average performance across cognitive measures in favor of the later born cohort. However, the 1930 born cohort also exhibited a tendency toward a steeper average rate of decline. Further evaluation of moderating and mediating effects of birth cohort differences in cognitive functioning will be discussed. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved.

Objectives

To evaluate birth cohort differences in level of cognition and rate of change in old age.

Methods

Data were drawn from three population-based Swedish samples including age-homogenous cohorts born 1901/02, 1906/07, and 1930, and measured on the same cognitive tests at ages 70, 75, and 79 as part of the Gerontological and Geriatric Populations Studies in Gothenburg (H70). We fitted growth curve models to the data using a Bayesian framework and derived estimates and inferences from the marginal posterior distributions.

Results

We found moderate to large birth cohort effects in level of performance on all cognitive outcomes. Later born cohorts, however, showed steeper linear rate of decline on reasoning, spatial ability, and perceptual- and motor-speed, but not on picture recognition memory and verbal ability.

Discussion

These findings provide strong evidence for substantial birth cohort effects in cognition in older ages and emphasize the importance of life long environmental factors in shaping cognitive aging trajectories. Inferences from cognitive testing, and standardization of test scores, in elderly populations must take into account the substantial birth cohort differences. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved.