Crystallized intelligence (abbreviated Gc) is reflected in a person’s general knowledge, vocabulary, and reasoning based on acquired information. It is contrasted with fluid intelligence (see Fluid Intelligence) as one of the two factors of general intelligence first proposed by Cattell (1971). Crystallized intelligence is conceptualized as the product of experience, both cultural and educational, in interaction with fluid intelligence; people with higher levels of fluid intelligence will generally amass learnt information faster, allowing higher crystallized intelligence. Crystallized intelligence is measured by tests such as vocabulary and general knowledge type assessments.
In ASD, the profile of better performance than verbal IQ subtest scores may reflect, in part, differences between fluid and crystallized intelligence. It has been suggested that standard IQ assessments underestimate intelligence compared to pure fluid assessments such as Raven’s Progressive Matrices...