Fluid intelligence correlates with working memory capacity for both real-world objects and simple-feature stimuli
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Previous research has shown that individual differences in visual working memory performance strongly correlate with measures of fluid intelligence. In these studies, visual working memory was assessed using simple feature stimuli, such as oriented lines or colored squares, as traditionally done. However, recent studies have shown that working memory performance is higher for meaningful stimuli (i.e., real-world objects) relative to simple features. How does working memory capacity for real-world objects relate to fluid intelligence? To test this, participants (103 young adults) completed different visual working memory tasks that used images of real-world objects or simple colored circles as well as a fluid and crystallized intelligence test. The results showed reliable correlations between all working memory tasks and fluid intelligence scores, and no significant differences between these correlations across stimulus types. Working memory performance was not reliably correlated with crystallized intelligence in any of the tasks. Collectively, these findings suggest that maintaining real-world objects and colored circles rely on shared cognitive processes that may, in part, underlie individual differences in fluid intelligence.
Source: Journal of Memory and Language
Institution: Dartmouth College
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,670
OpenAlex ID: W4410419974