Too Much Crystallized Thinking Lowers Fluid Intelligence - Essay Example

Too Much Crystallized Thinking Lowers Fluid Intelligence al affiliation Too Much Crystallized Thinking Lowers Fluid IntelligenceFluid intelligence can be described as the human ability to think logically and be able to solve problems and issues affecting them. It involves that ability to diagnose problems and solve problems using logic. Crystallized intelligence on the hand is the use of skills, experience, information and knowledge in a manner that can be measured through a test. This represents the lifetime cerebral and general knowledge of human beings (Bergland 2013).

Research has shown that fluid intelligence is independent of education and experience. Fluid intelligence peaks during adolescence and will begin to decline as we grow old. Crystallized intelligence is based on things that have already been learned. Crystallized intelligence becomes stronger with age. This is due to the fact that as we grow old we accumulate new knowledge and experience that enhance crystallized intelligence. They are both important in everyday life.Our education system is depriving children fluid intelligence which is linked with creativity.

Children should be allowed to go for breaks in between studies as sitting all day studying for tests lowers fluid intelligence (Nairne 2009). Too much crystallized thinking makes the cerebellum to decrease. The cerebellum is the part of the human brain that support movement and coordination and also performs some cognitive functions. This part of the brain is located at the back of the brain.Education grows the cerebrum, which is normally referred to as the ‘conscious part of the brain. It is important to note that the cerebellum and the cerebrum are connected.

Thus, when the cerebrum grows, the cerebellum shrinks since the skull determines the size of the brain. All this happens as the skull remains the same size. In order for the brain to function optimally, there needs to be fluidity via the vermis which divides the cerebrum and the cerebellum. This means that there should be virtually no friction or viscosity when the brain is switching from one dimension of consciousness to another (Bergland 2013). Physical activity, having a good night’s sleep, motor skills and hobbies like drawing and playing musical instruments help grow the cerebellum.

Thus, it is important for any human being to balance between the activities that grow the cerebrum and the activities that grow the cerebellum in order for the brain to function optimally (Nairne 2009). Children in our institutions of learning should be given enough breaks in between lessons and the chance to participate in co-curriculum activities in order to optimize the function of their bodies, brain and mind while at school.Research has shown that physical activities help the brain to be creative.

Physical activity enables all the four hemispheres of the brain to work concurrently allowing the brain to function optimally and thus improving fluid intelligence (Nairne 2009). This improves the memory of an individual which improves crystallized intelligence. Too much crystallized thinking is causing some parts of the brain to shrink and become disconnected. Thus the brain is unable to function optimally. This underlines the importance of balancing crystallized intelligence with fluid intelligence (Bergland 2013).

ReferencesBergland, C. (2013, December 26). Too Much Crystallized Thinking Lowers Fluid Intelligence. Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201312/too-much-crystallized-thinking-lowers-fluid-intelligenceNairne, J. S. (2009). Psychology (5th ed.). Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth.