Intelligence is divided into two types, called fluid and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence, as used in classic intelligence tests, includes the ability to learn, solve problems, and reason logically. Crystallized intelligence means the accumulation of knowledge and a better understanding of things through experience.
While fluid intelligence peaks when we are around 30-40 years old, crystallized intelligence increases with age and peaks in the 60s.
Changes in IQ are highly individual – especially in the younger years.
The brain changes early in life
in English study The verbal and nonverbal intelligence of 33 adolescents was tested using a series of tasks.
Four years later, their IQ was tested again and by that time 39 percent of the teens had their verbal IQ changed, while 21 percent scored differently in the nonverbal IQ. In some cases, IQ scores varied by more than 20 points, and in some cases people scored lower than on the first tests.
Brain scans showed that the fluctuations were related to structural changes in the brain. For example, an increase in verbal IQ has been linked to changes in the left motor cortex, which is activated when we speak.
The study’s main conclusion was that IQ varies between teens because their brains are still developing.
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