It is conventional to distinguish Gf, which signifies ‘fluid’ intelligence, from Gc, signifying ‘crystallised’ intelligence. The intended distinction here is between, as far as possible, intelligence in and of itself, that can therefore be applied to any new situation or set of factors, and is hence ‘fluid’; contrasted with that which requires a certain context, builds on education, general knowledge, experience and cultural factors, and is in that sense ‘crystallised’.
