This study examined the cognitive skills and attitudes toward self and others in samples of independent seniors and young men and women. Three proceedings were used to address questions of age or gender differences. Study 1 (N=95) compared the scores of older adults (approximate age range, 64-95 years) on the Silver Drawing Test of Cognition and Emotion (SDT) Drawing from Imagination Task to those of young adults (age range 20-50 years, from three colleges). Study 2 (N=73) analyzed SDT Predictive Drawing scores of senior and young adults. Study 3 examined Predictive Drawing scores using four age groups: 53 children, 66 adolescents, 51 young adults, 36 senior adults. The test instrument is described. Methods used include statistical analyses of mean scores, group performances in top or bottom range scores, and the responses of particular individuals. No significant age differences were found between young and independent older adults in ability to solve conceptual problems visually, the use of humor, or drawing about unfortunate subjects of stressful relationships. The difference in findings between these studies and the literature on older adults based on those in institutional settings is discussed. Control over one's activities may be a critical factor in successful aging; fear of losing this control may have adverse effects on cognition and emotional well-being. Data analyses and examples of drawings are appended. (Contains 12 references.) (EMK)