5 factors of IQ

Psychologists call general intelligence ‘G’. G is known to be based on five underlying IQ factors (Gc, Gf, Gv, Gsm and Gs) shown below. Some of these factors are based on ‘acquired knowledge’ through education, others are based on ‘raw’ thinking skills that we are usually not taught (such as the ability to reason logically), and others are based on how efficient our brains are (our ‘cognitive efficiency’). We all differ in our strengths and weaknesses in these 5 factors, although they are all linked to our overall ‘G’ level.

Crystallized intelligence (Gc)

Our crystallized intelligence is our IQ that depends on knowledge and skills gained through experience, education and training. It depends on what we learn from our surrounding culture, and may be tested by vocabularyor general knowledge in IQ tests. Crystallized intelligence tends to remain constant over the lifespan and can even increase by acquiring more knowledge and skills.

Fluid intelligence (Gf)

Our fluid intelligence (Gf) is our on-the-spot reasoning and problem solving ability, not dependent on background knowledge, education or any specific expertise. It enables us to see relationships and learn quickly in new situations. Our fluid intelligence enables us to fluidly: reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly – verbally, numerically or spatially, understand complex ideas, analogies & relationships & learn quickly from experience.

Visual processing (Gv)

Visual processing or visual-spatial intelligence (Gv) involves the ability to visualize, remember and manipulate images in the ‘mind’s eye’. This kind of intelligence is measured by tasks that require imagining spatial objects as they change or move through space. It is an important factor of intelligence for professions such as engineering or architecture.

Processing speed (Gs)

Processing speed (Gs) is how fast your mental processes are – your ability to automatically and fluently perform basic cognitive tasks (such as scanning text for something), especially when high levels of attention and focused concentration are required.

Short term / working memory (Gsm)

Short term memory (Gsm). This is the memory system that holds in mind a limited amount of information for brief periods. We use our short term memory every day, such as remembering a telephone number or directions while you are driving. We can also mentally transform information in short term memory – to solve a problem, to figure something out, or reason through something to find an answer. This short term memory ability is called working memory. For example – figuring out a 15% tip (‘the bill is 29.30. Call that 30. 10% of 30 is 3. Half of 3 is 1.5. 3 plus 1.5 is 4.5.’). Working memory is like the brain’s RAM. The more working memory you have, the more RAM or processing power you have.

Quantitative intelligence (Gq)

Quantitative intelligence (Gq) is not an independent factor in itself, but is based on a combination of other IQ factors including Gc, Gf, and Gst. It is mostly built up during formal educational experiences. Gq is a person’s store of acquired mathematical knowledge and well practiced techniques for solving mathematical and quantitative problems.

How the IQ factors may change over the lifespan

The diagram below shows how our different cognitive abilities change over the lifespan on average in the population. This is from data collected by comparing scores in different age groups on IQ tests that measure the different factors of IQ. Of course, these are average scores, and as an individual you can show a very different pattern.

You can see from the graph that short term memory and fluid intelligence (Gf) can benefit from specific types of training beyond the mid-thirties. Speed of processing is the most dramatically affected by aging so this too may be a focus for cognitive training. The cognitive ability that is most resistant to cognitive aging is crystallized intelligence – our store of knowledge, information and skills. This continues to grow until the mid 60s.

The 5 Factors of Intelligence Over the Lifespan