K. Warner Schaie concluded that adult cognitive processes likely do what?

K. Warner Schaie proposed that adult cognitive processes continue to develop and advance beyond what Piaget initially suggested as the formal operational stage. He believed that adults engage in more complex forms of reasoning and critical thinking as they navigate various life tasks, such as work and family responsibilities. Schaie emphasized the importance of knowledge application in real-world scenarios, which suggests that adults can utilize and integrate knowledge in increasingly sophisticated ways throughout their lives. This perspective aligns with his life-span perspective on intellectual development, wherein cognitive abilities evolve in response to social and environmental demands.

The reasoning presented highlights how cognitive processes do not remain static or limited to formal operational thought; rather, they exhibit a dynamic quality influenced by experiences and life stages. Schaie’s research supports the idea that cognitive development can continue into adulthood, countering limitations outlined by earlier theories.