In reality, there are probably many different normal aging trajectories with varying trends for different genetic and sociocultural subgroups.
Diversity is present in normal cognitive aging.
Because disorders of cognitive function are so common in later life, it is important to understand the effects of normal aging on cognitive performance. Studies suggest that some aspects of intelligence remain stable throughout the adult life span but others routinely decline. Personality dispositions, though less well researched, tend to persist throughout adult years although there is also evidence for changes there as well. One factor that may influence personality and morale is the aging person's ability to come to terms with the primary task around integrity and despair whereby each person is faced with making sense out of his or her actions over a lifetime and with judging the purpose and impact of these actions. He or she tends to rely more on emotion focused forms of coping than on rational problem-solving strategies.