Type of intelligence, proposed by Horn and Cattell, which is applied to novel problems and is relatively independent of educational and cultural influences. Compare crystallized intelligence. (485)

the ability to think abstractly and deal with novel situations.

the form of intelligence that reflects reasoning ability, memory capacity, and speed of information processing. (136, 360)

The ability to understand relationships between items in the absence of overt experience or practice with the items in question. go to glossary index

Fluid intelligence is one of the two types of intelligence identified by Cattell. It is the inherited dimension of intelligence and includes problem-solving and thinking ability

The ability, which is said to decline with age, to deal with essentially new problems. See also crystallized intelligence.

Biologically based mental abilities that are relatively uninfluenced by cultural experiences.