The construction of intelligence was widely studied in the context of the psychology of individual differences, but this study meant a multitude of problems because of the ambiguity of the term, so we can find several models that try to explain the intellect from afar. different perspectives: from single-factor theories to multiple intelligence theories. In this article we’ll talk about Cattell’s intelligence model, which has a mixed perspective.
Raymond B. Cattell is one of the most emblematic authors of the psychology of individual differences and has studied intelligence in depth; this author developed a model based on two central factors: fluid intelligence (FG) and crystallized intelligence (GC). Cattell’s intelligence ignores the unitary conception of Spearman’s intelligence by considering the existence of the two factors mentioned above.
- To fully understand Cattell’s theory it is essential to understand what its two main factors are.
- So in the next section we will explain what fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence are.
This factor refers to the ability to adapt and deal with new situations flexibly, without prior learning being a decisive aid. Fluid intelligence consists primarily of primary skills, such as induction and deduction, relationships and classifications, the scope of working memory, or intellectual speed.
This type of intelligence is strongly linked to genetic factors and the development of the individual, we observe that fluid intelligence reaches its maximum potential during adolescence, so from adulthood this ability tends to decrease in parallel with aging and deterioration of the nervous system.
This ability can be evaluated by evidence that measured an individual’s biological potential to learn or acquire knowledge, in many cases fluid intelligence has been compared with intelligence material, as it is these aspects that underpin the future capacity of the individual.
This factor in Cattell’s intelligence model refers to this set of skills, strategies, and knowledge that represent the level of cognitive development achieved through the subject’s learning history. An example of this crystallized intelligence can be verbal comprehension, experience assessment and improvement, spatial orientation, mechanical knowledge, etc.
Unlike fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence has little to do with genetic aspects. This will largely depend on the learning obtained from the subject’s previous experience in the cultural environment to which he belongs; In this way, an individual develops his own crystallized intelligence by investing his fluid intelligence in learning activities.
This capability is evaluated by a test that analyzes the knowledge acquired through interaction with the sociocultural environment. If fluid intelligence represented hardware, crystallized intelligence will be software.
Cattell’s intelligence model structures intelligence into three hierarchical levels of different generalities. These levels are:
Cattell’s intelligence model shows us a factorial design based on two main factors, located at the top of the hierarchy, that will determine through an infinite number of processes and mutual influences the performance of each individual in the diversity of skills, strategies and knowledge. it is an interesting model that can help us understand the complexity of intelligence building and the continuity of research around it.