At what stage of life does crystallized intelligence typically peak?

Crystallized intelligence refers to the knowledge and skills that individuals accumulate over their lifetime, such as vocabulary, general knowledge, and the ability to use learned information in problem-solving situations. This type of intelligence generally peaks in midlife, which aligns with the accumulation of life experiences, education, and cognitive skills over the years.

During midlife, individuals often have a significant reservoir of experiences to draw upon, allowing them to leverage their knowledge in various contexts effectively. This period is often characterized by enhanced problem-solving abilities and greater depth of understanding in various domains, which are hallmarks of crystallized intelligence.

While crystallized intelligence can remain relatively stable or even continue to grow into older adulthood, it is in midlife that individuals typically display the highest levels of this form of intelligence, reflecting a culmination of life experiences and intellectual development up to that point.