Fluid intelligence is the capacity to think speedily and reason flexibly in order to solve new problems without relying on past experience and accumulated knowledge.Fluid intelligence allows us to perceive and draw inferences about relationships among variables, and to conceptualize abstract information, which aids problem-solving.

Crystallized Intelligence refers to the ability to utilize skills and knowledge acquired via prior learning (Horn, 1969). The use of crystallized intelligence involves the recalling of pre-existing information as well as skills. The use of crystallized intelligence involves the recalling of pre-existing information as well as skills.

As you read our text, you will read about these two different types of intelligence, the differences between younger adults and older adults in regards to these intelligence types, and the brain regions associated with these intelligences.

Obviously, in the "real world" we are often using both types of intelligence when we are engaged in a task/situation. However, some tasks do require one type of intelligence more than the other type of intelligence.