Age and Intellectual Crystalization

I have heard it said that as a person gets older, thier IQ crystalizes. I am taking this thought to a different level though, and leaping to the conclusion that this occurs in more than just IQ. As a person ages, it seems that thier personality gets more set. Less mutable by enviromental factors.

At what age this occurs, I don’t know. I saw a chart (can’t find it now) that had a graph that charted this, with a layover of what they called liquid thought. It seemed it started around 19-20 if memory serves me correct.

IINAN (neurologist), so my knowledge of this area is kind of sketchy. From what I do know though of the human body, and how it works and adapts, I have come up with many questions, many of which I think is contraversial.

In bodybuilding, sometimes the body reaches a plateau. The body has adapted to the workout, and growth and strength come to a halt. Usually a person needs to change the routine around and do different workouts, change the intensity, something to shock the body into growth. Could this work for the brain also? Shocking the brain into growing more neural connections, leading to an eventual change in how the whole pattern assembles its information? Or does this process stop at some immuatable age?

Is it possible to cause the brain to “crystalize” in a pattern that promotes flexibility of thought over time. Flexability, in this context, I mean in a way that allows constant stimulation to inccur further growth. Is this something that would have to be done at a young age? Or could it be done say, at my age. (25).

My brain right now is pretty inflexible, and I fight a constant battle trying to get it to want to learn things. I plan on going to school next year, and don’t want it to be so used to lack of intellectual stimulation that further education becomes a problem. Should I be worried that my IQ has become crystalized at my age?

*I know this topic is pretty contraversial, and nothing I could find seems to suggest this topic has ever had a conclusion reached. So for that reason I think it would be perfectly suited to GD. If this is more of a GQ, forgive me for misjudging.

I believe you’re referencing the crystalized vs. fluid model of intelligence.

‘Fluid intelligence’ is considered to be the raw processing power of the brain. It’s greatest in youth then decreases over time.

‘Crystalized intelligence’ consists of knowledge and skills acquired through learning and experience. It increases with time.

In short, old people can’t think quite as well as they once did, but the intelligence ‘stored’ in their experiences and past-developed strategies compensates.

You can always “shock” your brain by new outside stimuli, for example changing to a new company, or visit faraway places.