Processing speed development in the United States and Taiwan: a brief report

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111227

Explanation

This study compares the cognitive function, or so-called processing speed, of Americans and Taiwanese. Because previous research has investigated the development of processing speed across cultures and suggested different processing speeds in different cultures, we used aggregate data from standardized Wechsler　scales in the United States and Taiwan over the past 20 years to investigate processing speed performance.

The results showed that when comparing national standards for ages 4 to 80, older Taiwanese people had slower processing speeds than their U.S. counterparts. Conversely, younger Taiwanese recorded faster processing speeds than their U.S. counterparts.

This evidence indicates that physiological, environmental, and genetic factors may contribute to group differences in the development of processing speed, but this is a brief review and should be recognized with caution.