A study of the relationship of age, years of education, occupation, and socioeconomic status to crystallized and fluid intelligence

Cognitive aging is one of the interesting topics in cognitive psychology. In 1979, John Horn identified two types of intelligence, crystallized and fluid intelligence. Since then, the existence of these two types of intelligence have been supported by researchers such as R.B. Cattell and G. Donaldson. This research aims to study the relationships of age to the two types of intelligence. It also aims to investigate the relationships of education, occupation and socioeconomic status to fluid and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence is a general relation perceiving capacity determined by each individual\u27s unique endowment of cortical, neurological connections. These processes are involved in reasoning, concept formation and problem solving. Fluid intelligence are those skills that are biologically determined and independent of experience or learning. Fluid in intelligence is popularly known as native intelligence . Skills included in fluid intelligence can be measured by spatial orientation, abstract reasoning and perceptual speed. Crystallized intelligence is manifested in individual differences in knowledge and comprehension. It refers to knowledge and activities acquired by an individual through education and life-long processes. Indicators are verbal comprehension, word association and social judgment. Crystallized general mental capacity shows itself heavily in primary abilities as verbal factor, numerical ability, etc. Fluid intelligence appears in series, analogies, topologies, etc., in this study, the researcher conducted an intelligence test known as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised (WAI-R). To measure crystallized, two verbal subtests were used, which are Digit Span and Arithmetic. In fluid, Picture completion and Picture arrangement were used. The scope of the study covers 60 people ages 16-65. A dimensional sampling was uses. Data was analyzed through descriptive data, pairwise correlations and stepwise regression analysis. Results show that age is a significant influence to both fluid and crystallized intelligence. Crystallized ability continues to improve up to age 60 and possibly beyond as long as one has a reactive, alive organism that is taking in and recording information. Fluid ability show an age-related pattern of change. It increases into young adulthood, approximately at ages 21-25 and then begins to decline age 26 and above. In stepwise regression, age and SES has a better chance of getting a high intelligence socre because he or she has a social and financial advantages than others whereby he could use these advantages to increase his intelligence