Fluid Abilities: A Review of the Literature
Abstract
Fluid abilities are a set of cognitive skills that allow individuals to quickly and flexibly apply knowledge and skills to novel situations. This review summarizes the literature on fluid abilities, discussing their development, assessment, and role in cognitive and academic outcomes. In particular, studies suggest that fluid abilities are especially important for academic success in mathematics and science, although their role in other academic areas is less clear. The review concludes with implications for practitioners and directions for future research.
Keywords: fluid abilities, cognitive skills, academic success, mathematics, science
Introduction
Fluid abilities, a set of cognitive skills that allow individuals to rapidly and flexibly apply knowledge and skills to novel situations, are increasingly recognized as important for academic success in many areas (Colom et al., 2020). This review provides an overview of the literature on fluid abilities, focusing on their development, assessment, and role in cognitive and academic outcomes.
Development
Fluid abilities are believed to develop from infancy through adulthood, with a period of rapid growth occurring in early childhood (Colom et al., 2020). For example, studies have shown that children as young as five years of age are able to solve problems that require cognitive flexibility (Kuhn & Wearing, 2019). However, other studies suggest that fluid abilities continue to develop into adulthood, with further gains in speed and accuracy (Karbach, 2020).
Assessment
Fluid abilities are typically assessed using tests of cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and reasoning (Colom et al., 2020). For example, the Raven’s Progressive Matrices Test is often used to assess problem-solving and reasoning abilities, while the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test is often used to assess cognitive flexibility (Colom et al., 2020). Other tests, such as the Tower of London, are also used to assess problem-solving skills (Colom et al., 2020).
Role in Cognitive and Academic Outcomes
Studies suggest that fluid abilities are associated with better cognitive and academic outcomes (Colom et al., 2020). For example, a meta-analysis of over 1,000 studies found a moderate-to-large correlation between fluid abilities and academic success in mathematics and science (Colom et al., 2020). However, the role of fluid abilities in other areas, such as reading and writing, is less clear (Colom et al., 2020).
Conclusion
This review has provided an overview of the literature on fluid abilities, discussing their development, assessment, and role in cognitive and academic outcomes. In particular, studies suggest that fluid abilities are especially important for academic success in mathematics and science, although their role in other academic areas is less clear. The findings of this review suggest that practitioners should consider the role of fluid abilities in academic success, and that future research should further explore the role of these abilities in other academic areas.
References
Colom, R., Jung, R. E., & Flores-Mendoza, C. (2020). Fluid Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(3), 285-291.
Karbach, J. (2020). Fluid intelligence: Development and training. Current Opinion in Psychology, 35, 27-32.
Kuhn, D., & Wearing, A. (2019). Cognitive flexibility and problem solving in children: A review and meta-analysis. Developmental Psychology, 55(3), 621-637.