AP Psychology – Common Psychology Terms

Fluid intelligence is the ability to reason quickly and abstractly, especially when solving novel problems that aren’t based on what you’ve previously learned. This kind of thinking relies on processing speed and flexible problem-solving, and it tends to decline with age as those rapid, on-the-spot reasoning abilities slow down. In contrast, crystallized intelligence covers accumulated knowledge and skills (like vocabulary and facts), which often stay stable or even improve with age. General knowledge fits under crystallized intelligence, while working memory is about holding and manipulating information in mind temporarily and isn’t the same as rapid abstract reasoning. So the term that best fits the description is fluid intelligence.