What tends to happen to fluid intelligence during late adulthood?

Fluid intelligence refers to the capacity to reason and solve new problems independently of previously acquired knowledge. It is often associated with cognitive processes such as pattern recognition, abstract thinking, and problem-solving abilities. During late adulthood, research indicates a general decline in fluid intelligence due to natural aging processes. This decline can be attributed to factors such as decreased processing speed, reduced working memory capacity, and challenges in adaptability to new situations.

As individuals age, they may find it more difficult to learn new information or apply learned knowledge to novel problems. This does not mean that all cognitive abilities decline uniformly, as some aspects of crystallized intelligence, which relies on accumulated knowledge and experience, tend to remain stable or even improve. However, the specific challenges associated with fluid intelligence lead to an observable decrease in this capacity in late adulthood.