Which term refers to cognitive abilities becoming rigid and fixed as people age?

• A. Growth mindset
• B. Tabula rasa
• C. Cognitive rigidity
• D. Differentiated instruction

Answer: (C)

Cognitive rigidity captures the idea that cognitive abilities become rigid and fixed as people age. It describes a drop in flexibility to adapt thinking, switch strategies, or adopt new approaches, which can make learning and problem-solving feel more stuck or limited. This contrasts with cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to adjust thinking in response to new tasks or rules. Other terms in the options don’t describe aging-related changes in thinking: growth mindset is about believing abilities can develop with effort, tabula rasa is the idea that the mind starts as a blank slate, and differentiated instruction is about tailoring teaching to learners’ needs. So the term that fits the description is cognitive rigidity.