I found Cattell's theory of fluid vs. crystallized intelligence
to be very interesting. Fluid intelligence
is the ability to think logically and solve problems in novel situations,
independent of acquired knowledge. It
is the ability to find patterns and relationships that problems revolve around
and then use logic to solve those problems. This is especially helpful in math and
science. Crystallized intelligence is the
ability to use skills knowledge and experience. A person’s vocabulary and knowledge of
mathematical concepts is contained in this form. While this theory has great application to
the field of mathematics, the class I teach were it holds the most pull is
chess.
Chess, for hundreds of years, has been considered the ultimate game
of strategy in dozens of cultures. Why
has this game been so pervasive and why has an ability to excel at it been
considered synonymous with intelligence, even by those who do not play the game?
The answer is simple. There is no other game that requires so
heavily, and so equally, fluid and crystallized intelligence. The fluid intelligence comes into play because
there are more possible games of chess than there are atoms in the
universe. That being the case, a chess
player is likely to be in a novel situation in almost every game he plays. He must be able to recognize patterns and
combinations and find creative solutions to the problems that face him. But
what helps him recognize those patterns?
At natural ability to do so helps, but the clear answer is crystallized intelligence!
Even though a position in a particular
chess may be completely novel, a player may recognize similarities in this
novel position and between other positions he has been in before. This knowledge of chess principles and
patterns helps him use his fluid intelligence to get the upper hand on the opponent.
Chess is a wonderful game revered the world over for its
cognitive challenges and Cattell has helped to show us why.
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