Psychological functioning to solve complex problems and lead work teams reaches its peak between the ages of 55 and 60
By *, from
As your youth fades into the past, you may begin to .
But research my colleague and I published shows there’s also good reason to be encouraged: For many of us, overall psychological functioning peaks between ages 55 and 60. People in this age group may be at their best when solving complex problems and leading work teams.
Different types of spikes
There is showing that human beings reach their age from their late 20s to their early 30s.
A large body of research also shows that people’s raw intelligence – that is, their ability to reason, remember and process information quickly – often begins to decline.
Athletes tend to reach the peak of their career. Mathematicians often make their most significant contributions in . Chess champions after age 40.
However, when we look beyond raw processing power, a different picture emerges.
From reasoning to emotional stability
In our study, in addition to reasoning ability, we focused on well-established psychological traits that can be accurately measured. Rather than temporary states, they represent enduring traits, have well-documented age trajectories, and are known to predict real-world performance.
Our research identified 16 psychological dimensions that met these criteria.
This included key cognitive skills such as reasoning, memory capacity, processing speed, knowledge and emotional intelligence. They also included the so-called “5 big ones” personality traits –extroversion, emotional stability, conscientiousness, openness to experience and agreeableness.
We compiled existing large-scale studies that examined the 16 dimensions we identified. By standardizing these studies on a common scale, we were able to make direct comparisons and map how each trait evolves across the lifespan.
Peak later in life
Several of the traits we measure peak much later in life. For example, conscientiousness peaked around age 65. Emotional stability peaked around age 75.
Less commonly discussed dimensions, such as moral reasoning, also appear to peak in adulthood. And the ability to resist cognitive biases – mental shortcuts that can lead us to make irrational or less accurate decisions – can continue to improve until our 70s and even 80s.
When we combined the age-related trajectories of all 16 dimensions into a theoretically and empirically based weighted index, a striking pattern emerged.
Overall mental functioning peaked from ages 55 to 60, before beginning to decline around age 65. This decline became more pronounced after age 75, suggesting that reductions in functioning at an older age may accelerate once they begin.
Get rid of age-based assumptions
Our findings may help explain why many of the most demanding leadership roles in business, politics, and public life generally are typically held by people in their 50s and 60s. Although several abilities decline with age, they are balanced by the growth of other important traits. Combined, these strengths enable better judgment and more thoughtful decision-making – qualities that are crucial for those at the top.
Despite our findings, older workers tend to reenter the workforce after losing their jobs. Structural factors often shape hiring decisions. For example, employers may consider it a very short-term investment to hire someone in their 50s whose retirement is likely to occur in their 60s.
The International Civil Aviation Organization establishes one for international airline pilots. Many countries also require air traffic controllers. These age limits are generally considered justifiable as these jobs require high levels of memory and attention.
However, people’s experiences vary.
found that although some adults show a decline in the speed of reasoning and memory, others also maintain these skills until later in life.
Therefore, age alone does not determine overall cognitive functioning. Assessments should focus on individuals’ actual abilities and characteristics, not age-based assumptions.
A peak, not a countdown
Taken together, these findings highlight the need for more age-inclusive hiring and retention practices, recognizing that many people have valuable strengths in midlife to do their jobs.
Charles Darwin published at 50 years old. Ludwig van Beethoven, aged 53 and profoundly deaf, premiered his “9ª Sinfonia”. In more recent times, Lisa Su, now 55, led Advanced Micro Devices in one of the industry’s most dramatic technical turnarounds.
History is full of people who achieved their greatest breakthroughs well after what society usually calls “peak age”. Maybe it’s time we stop treating midlife as a countdown and start recognizing it as a peak.
* is Associate Professor of Psychology at UWA (University of Western Australia).
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