The study aimed to analyze the decision-making capacity of young adults and older adults. The Iowa Gambling Task, which was adapted for the Brazilian Portuguese in the present study, was used to measure decision-making. The sample consisted of 82 healthy persons divided in two groups: Group 1 - 42 young adults and Group 2 - 40 elders. The results showed older adults no differences between the groups regarding the choices in the cards. Both groups showed a preference for decks "B" and "D". Regarding the learning process acquired during the test, there were also no differences between the two groups. All the subjects gradually developed a predilection for the cards of decks "C" and "D", preference that culminated in the fourth block, although not sustained up to the last one. This lack of maintenance of the learning process could perhaps be explained by some particular existing peculiarities in the application of the instrument.
Decision making; aging; risk-taking; risk-avoiding
