WCL Staff Nurse - 2022
Applied Psychology
Easy

______ helps you overcome concrete, straightforward problems.

Appeared in: WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

  • Crystallized intelligence refers to the application of accumulated knowledge, skills, and experience to solve problems.
  • This type of intelligence is most effective for tasks that are concrete, familiar, and straightforward, as they rely on previously learned information.
  • Examples include recalling historical facts, understanding vocabulary, and using established mathematical formulas.
  • According to the Cattell-Horn model, crystallized intelligence tends to remain stable or even increase with age as an individual accumulates more life experience and learning.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: Fluid intelligence is the ability to solve novel, abstract problems and think logically without relying on prior knowledge. The question specifies 'concrete, straightforward' problems, which is the domain of crystallized intelligence.
  • Option C: 'Competence intelligence' is not a standard or recognized term in the major theories of intelligence, such as the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory or Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences.
  • Option D: Similar to 'competence intelligence,' 'levelled intelligence' is not a scientifically established construct in the field of psychology or cognitive science.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Theories of Intelligence: Crystallized vs. Fluid Intelligence as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Understanding the difference between crystallized and fluid intelligence is crucial for nurses when providing patient education.
  • When teaching older adult patients, nurses can leverage their strong crystallized intelligence by relating new information to their past experiences and accumulated knowledge. Using concrete examples and familiar language is more effective than abstract concepts.
  • What if? If a nurse is teaching a young adult a complex new skill (e.g., using an insulin pump for the first time), they would be relying on the patient's fluid intelligence. The approach would involve breaking down the problem, demonstrating the logic, and allowing for practice to build new procedural knowledge.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, analyze the keywords in the question stem: 'concrete' and 'straightforward problems'.
  • These keywords suggest tasks that rely on existing knowledge and experience, rather than novel reasoning.
  • Next, recall the definitions of the different types of intelligence provided in the options.
  • Crystallized intelligence is defined as the accumulation of knowledge and skills over a lifetime, used for familiar tasks.
  • Fluid intelligence is the ability to solve new and abstract problems.
  • Match the keywords from the question ('concrete', 'straightforward') with the definition of crystallized intelligence.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Theories of Intelligence: Crystallized vs. Fluid Intelligence
  • Stem keywords: overcome, concrete, straightforward problems
  • Lead-in keywords: helps

Question ID

QYtT5APOb0kjFpmsHUMU9p

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 13522-13524

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 2 p. 45-47

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 326-328

Practise the full WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.