Which type of intelligence is known to decline with age?

Fluid intelligence refers to the ability to reason, think abstractly, and solve new problems, independent of any knowledge from the past. It encompasses skills such as pattern recognition and logical thinking, which are necessary for tasks that require the ability to adapt to novel situations. Research indicates that fluid intelligence tends to peak in early adulthood and gradually declines with age.

This decline is often associated with changes in cognitive processing speed, working memory capacity, and the ability to adapt to new information. As individuals age, they might find it more challenging to perform tasks that require quick and flexible thought, which is the essence of fluid intelligence.

In contrast, crystallized intelligence, which includes knowledge gained from experience and education, typically remains stable or even improves over time as individuals accumulate more experiences and knowledge. Emotional intelligence, which involves recognizing and managing emotions in oneself and others, and social intelligence, which deals with understanding social dynamics, do not show the same clear patterns of decline with age as fluid intelligence does.