For centuries, the aging mind has been described by philosophers, scientists and older individuals. Rarely, however, have such accounts communicated the big issues and most challenging conundrums about cognitive aging. Tim Salthouse, one of the great psychologists of our time, has crafted a fascinating review that allows readers to gain a deep understanding of the literature and to think critically about evidence. Major Issues in Cognitive Aging is a tour de force, sure to become a classic. --Laura L. Carstensen, Professor of Psychology and the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy, Stanford University Professor Salthouse rigorously explores key assumptions within cognitive aging research and outlines promising approaches for resolving open questions. He deftly assesses the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches (e.g., experimental, psychometric, epidemiological, and neuropsychological) paying careful attention to measurement issues for core cognitive constructs. He carefully reviews extant research and also uses his own extensive data sets to shed light on controversial topics such as whether cross-sectional and longitudinal studies converge in their findings and whether cognitive stimulation affects the trajectory of cognitive aging. The book is a gold mine for research ideas and would be an excellent textbook for any graduate course dealing with cognitive aging and a valuable supplement for courses focusing on methodological issues in adult development and aging. --Neil Charness, Professor, Psychology Department & Pepper Institute on Aging, Florida State University This excellent book is written by a world leader in research on cognitive aging, and as such reflects the author's commendable breadth and enviable depth of knowledge of the area. The writing is clear and accessible; the illustrations are vivid and compelling; the range of topics is comprehensive - from neural correlates to social contexts. The two-level text provides both for the general reader in the main text, and for the specialist in the notes accompanying each chapter. The book is a wonderful source of information on current research in cognitive aging, and I recommend it with great enthusiasm. -- Fergus Craik, Rotman Research Institute, Toronto Anyone who reads this book and absorbs its wisdom will be a better researcher as a result. This doyen of cognitive ageing research provides consise, clear, thoughtful and informative scientific meditations on some of his top issues in cognitive ageing; and it is hard to disagree with his choice of them. Eschewing a list-of-findings approach -- though there are well-chosen findings aplenty too -- the book cares and argues about what the field looks like and how it can do better, what characterises a good study, and what the principal findngs can actually tell us. This is a generous book: Salthouse offers the reader a researcher's toolkit as well as an even-handed, magesterial and highly readable summary of key cognitive ageing topics. -- Ian Deary, Professor of Differential Psychology Director, University of Edinburgh Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology Department of Psychology University of Edinburgh A clear and exceptionally thoughtful review of current approaches to the study of how and why mental functions change with age, and what has been learned so far. Essential reading for both beginning and experienced researchers in cognitive aging. -- Michael D. Rugg, Director, Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Qureshey Research Laboratory and Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine From the dean of cognitive aging comes a timely synthesis of the key issues in cognitive aging. Relying on his group's groundbreaking work and that of others, Dr. Salthouse provides a masterful and comprehensible overview of the field. The major themes that he develops will serve as basic grounding for students and as a guidepost for investigators, both in developing important research questions and in understanding the larger context of their work. -- Yaakov Stern, Columbia University We all run the risk of losing ourselves in the details of our own specialties. That's why students of cognitive aging need this rare treat of a book, where the big questions are contemplated in a passionate, yet impartial way. Always well-argued, often with startling conclusions (check out the part on the benefits of experience), Salthouse's candid analysis makes for a stimulating, even provocative read, sure to spark much (and I predict: heated) debate in the field. -- Paul Verhaeghen, Associate Professor in Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology ...Major Issues in Cognitive Aging is an easy and provocative read, and certainly it does an impressive job summarizing many of the major issues that confront the field of cognitive aging...We believe that some of them would do a considerable service to the field by imparting some of their wisdom in the fashion that Salthouse does here by addressing other major issues in cognitive aging in a comprehensive, integrative fashion. --PsycCRITIQUES
