Openness to Experience, fluid intelligence, and crystallized intelligence in middle-aged and old adults

Abstract

The present study examined the associations between three aspects of Openness to Experience (Intellectual
Interests, Aesthetic Interests, and Unconventionality) and two broad cognitive domains (fluid and
crystallized intelligence) in a large middle-aged and old adult sample. Results show that both the measurements
of Openness and intelligence were strongly invariant across age groups. Older adults were less
intellectually interested and described themselves as more conventional. In both age groups, Aesthetic
Interests exterted a small negative effect on fluid and crystallized intelligence while Unconventionality
had a positive effect. Moreover, the positive effect of Intellectual Interests was stronger in the older
age group. These findings indicate that Openness–intelligence relations depend on the aspect of Openness
and on the cognitive domain examined.