Elsevier

Acta Psychologica

Volume 26, 1967, Pages 107-129
Acta Psychologica

Age differences in fluid and crystallized intelligence

https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-6918(67)90011-XGet rights and content

Abstract

The general purpose of this study was to describe differences in intellectual functioning associated with aging in adulthood. Estimates of broad factors identified as fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, general visualization, speediness, carefulness and fluency were obtained by combining scores on several tests found to define these factors in previous research. A sample of 297 subjects was divided into five age groupings: 14–17 year-olds, 18–20 year-olds, 21–28 year-olds, 29–39 year-olds and 40–61 year-olds. Analyses of variance and covariance were carried out on these factors and age groupings, using sex and education, as well as the factors themselves, as covariates. These analyses revealed that:

  • (a) The mean level of fluid intelligence was systematically higher for younger adults (relative to older adults),

  • (b) The mean level of crystallized intelligence was systematically higher for older adults (relative to younger adults),

  • (c) The mean for the general visualization function was highest for the grouping of 21–28 year-olds and the means systematically dropped off on either side of the high value,

  • (d) No systematic age trends were discernible for the general speediness, carefulness and fluency factors.

These results provided support for the theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence.

References (53)

  • HornJ.L.

    Equations representing combinations of components in scoring psychological variables

    Acta Psychologica

    (1963)
  • AndersonJ.E.

    The prediction of terminal intelligence from infant and preschool tests

    39th Yearbook Natl. Soc. Stud. Educ.

    (1941)
  • BalinskyB.

    An analysis of the mental factors of various age groups from nine to sixty

    Genet. psychol. Monogr.

    (1964)
  • BarnesM.W.

    Gains in the ACE Psychological Examination during the freshman–Sophomore years

    Sch. and Soc.

    (1943)
  • BayleyN.

    On the growth of intelligence

    Amer. Psychol.

    (1955)
  • BayleyN.

    Data on the growth of intelligence between 16 and 21 years as measured by the Wechsler-Bellevue scale

    J. genet. Psychol.

    (1957)
  • BayleyN. et al.

    The maintenance of intellectual ability in gifted adults

    J. Geront.

    (1955)
  • BradwayK.P. et al.

    Intelligence at adulthood

    J. educ. Psychol.

    (1962)
  • CattellR.B.

    Some theoretical issues in adult intelligence testing

    Psychol. Bull.

    (1941)
  • CattellR.B.

    Personality

    (1950)
  • CattellR.B.

    Personality and motivation structure and measurement

    (1957)
  • CattellR.B.

    The IPAT Culture Fair Intelligence Scales

    (1957)
  • CattellR.B.

    Theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence: A critical experiment

    J. educ. Psychol.

    (1963)
  • CohenJ.

    The factorial structure of the WAIS between early adulthood and old age

    J. consult. Psychol.

    (1957)
  • CohenJ.

    Some statistical issues in psychological research

  • CorsiniR.J. et al.

    Intelligence and aging

    J. genet. Psychol.

    (1953)
  • FergusonG.A.

    On learning and human ability

    J. Canad. Psychol.

    (1954)
  • FergusonG.A.

    On transfer and the abilities of man

    J. Canad. Psychol.

    (1956)
  • FouldsG.A. et al.

    Normal changes in mental abilities of adults as age advances

    J. ment. Sci.

    (1948)
  • FreemanF.N. et al.

    Growth in intellectual ability as measured by repeated tests

    Monogr. Soc. Res. Child. Develpm.

    (1932)
  • FrenchJ.W. et al.

    Manual for kit of reference tests for cognitive factors

    (1963)
  • FruchterB.

    Error scores as a measure of carefulness

    J. educ. Psychol.

    (1950)
  • FruchterB.

    Differences in factor content of rights and wrongs scores

    Psychometrika

    (1953)
  • GhiselliE.E.

    The relationship between intelligence and age among superior adults

    J. genet. Psychol.

    (1957)
  • GraybillF.A.

    An introduction to linear statistical models

    (1961)
  • GuilfordJ.P.

    Three faces of intellect

    Amer. Psychol.

    (1959)
  • Cited by (874)

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text