Which statement best describes crystallized intelligence?

Which statement best describes crystallized intelligence?

• A. Accumulated knowledge that tends to remain stable or increase with age
• B. Problem-solving and processing speed that tends to decline with age
• C. Short-term memory for sequences
• D. Ability to ignore information

Answer: (A)

Crystallized intelligence is the store of knowledge and skills you've accumulated through learning and experience, such as vocabulary, general facts, and cultural understanding. Because this knowledge builds up over time, it tends to stay stable or even increase as you age. That’s why the statement describing accumulated knowledge that remains stable or grows with age fits crystallized intelligence best. By contrast, fluid intelligence involves solving new problems, reasoning quickly, and processing information—abilities that often show more decline with age. Short-term memory for sequences taps into working memory, not crystallized knowledge, and the ability to ignore information relates more to selective attention or inhibitory control rather than to crystallized intelligence.

Crystallized intelligence is the store of knowledge and skills you've accumulated through learning and experience, such as vocabulary, general facts, and cultural understanding. Because this knowledge builds up over time, it tends to stay stable or even increase as you age. That’s why the statement describing accumulated knowledge that remains stable or grows with age fits crystallized intelligence best.

By contrast, fluid intelligence involves solving new problems, reasoning quickly, and processing information—abilities that often show more decline with age. Short-term memory for sequences taps into working memory, not crystallized knowledge, and the ability to ignore information relates more to selective attention or inhibitory control rather than to crystallized intelligence.