Immediate and long-term memory and their relation to crystallized and fluid intelligence

Do we need this crystallized and fluid intelligence? And what is your doctor doing to ensure you have the correct amount to recover from your stroke?

Immediate and long-term memory and their relation to crystallized and fluid intelligence

Author links open overlay panelDavidMartinez

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2019.101382Get rights and content

Highlights

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Immediate and long term memory factors predict fluid intelligence (Gf).

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The same variables account for variance in crystallized intelligence (Gc).

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Exploratory results suggest the memory factors account for variance in Gc due to Gf.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate associations between Gc and Gf and several memory factors—namely short-term memory (STM) span, working memory capacity (WMC), and declarative long-term memory (dLTM) ability. Two hundred and thirty-six individuals completed a number of tasks assessing the above named constructs and structural equation models were fitted. In line with prior research, both WMC and dLTM ability directly accounted for variance in Gf. Notably, these same factors also accounted for variance in Gc. Importantly, however, the results of two exploratory analyses suggest that WMC and dLTM ability explain variance in Gc that is due to the investment of Gf. These exploratory analyses raise doubts about the purported role of dLTM ability in Gf and Gc performance. Ultimately, it is argued that there is need for further research investigating the cognitive components of Gc as well as dLTM ability.