Intelligence

Intelligence is just that - what you know, right? Well, no, at least not according to intelligence researchers. One theory is that there are two types. One is called fluid intelligence and the other crystallized intelligence.

What is crystallized intelligence?

Crystalized intelligence is essentially the body of knowledge you've accumulated over your lifetime. It deals with why and how you know how to do things. For example, most of us were taught how to drive when we were in our teens. Once we were taught it became crystallized intelligence in that we used the knowledge we were taught to drive throughout the rest of our lives. That knowledge roughly applies regardless of the car we're driving or the roads we travel. crystallized intelligence tends to increase over time and we rely on it to help us navigate our day.

What is fluid intelligence?

Fluid Intelligence is using our reasoning abilities to figure out how to do new things and learn new processes. For instance, the newer cars have a very different process for starting than older cars do. With newer cars we might have to put our foot on the brake and then push a button to start the car instead of inserting a key into the ignition and turning it.

Crystallized intelligence tends to increase over time whereas fluid Intelligence tends to decrease over time from the age of 20 or 30. In other words, as fluid Intelligence decreases it becomes more difficult to figure out how to adapt to or use new things. Some examples:

• use a new device like a smartphone

• adapt to a new version of a operating system like moving from Windows 10 or Windows 11

• learn to use the new apps on your smart device or your laptop or desktop

So, it's not unusual for older folks to not be able to learn to use a new phone or how to operate a new TV. Things you learn with fluid Intelligence can often become crystallized intelligence.

Can we do things to maintain or increase our fluid intelligence?

Fluid Intelligence does not have to decrease as we get older! We can do things to help us retain and increase our fluid Intelligence.

• Solving challenging puzzles like crosswords or Sudoku on a regular basis helps to combat the decrease and even increase our level of fluid Intelligence.

• Engaging in focused thought as opposed to multitasking is another way - like reading a book as opposed to flipping through your Facebook feed. Reading newsletters like this and then looking more deeply into the ideas or concepts presented in them can help, too.

• Traveling, getting out and meeting new people can help increase fluid Intelligence.

• Learn a new language, pick up a new hobby or a new musical instrument.

Why would we want to maintain or increase our fluid intelligence?

Maintaining and increasing fluid intelligence can help us feel more able and actually be more able to deal with the challenges and changes that life throws at us. Since I tend to write about technology, I'll say that exercising and using fluid Intelligence can help us find, investigate, and use new apps and services and lose the fear and anxiety associated with their use. Reading about advances in Artificial Intelligence, adopting AI, and using it in our daily lives definitely exercises and adds to our fluid Intelligence. Exploring new features that come to your laptop or smart device is another way, as is watching Youtube videos about those new features.

That’s all for this time

Knowing about and having a cursory understanding of crystallized and fluid intelligence can help us better deal with the challenges that life throws at us. I hope you have at least a rudimentary understanding of them, their differences, as well as a few ways to maintain and increase Fluid Intelligence. Don't hesitate to write to me if you have questions!

As always, my intent is to help you understand the basics and equip you to search for more detailed information.

Please feel free to email me with questions, comments, suggestions, requests for future columns, to sign up for my newsletter, or whatever at [email protected] or just drop m

If you like, you can read my most recent newsletter in the Hillsboro Times Gazette at https://go.ttot.link/TG-Column - I should have that link updated shortly after this edition of the newsletter appears in the online version of the newspaper.