The maximum rate of information acceptance (MIA) of approximately 185 elderly Ss (60-90 years) was assessed for 3 perceptual tasks of graded difficulty. Results were compared with those of a control group of 42 young adults. MIA was found to be lower in elderly persons than in young adults, and to decline consistently through the seventh, eighth and ninth decades. The rate of decline was greater with perceptual material of an unfamiliar nature, and where the information has to be accepted from more than 1 source simultaneously. Although the average performance of elderly Ss was consistently lower than that of younger persons, the range of scores was such that, except in the most difficult situations, some elderly Ss achieved results well ahead of the younger average. MIA calculated in this manner was closely correlated with the WAIS scaled score totals, and with the sub-test totals, especially those in the Performance section. The effectiveness of much, if not all, cognitive function may be limited by rate of information acceptance.
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