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

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.