Individual differences in foreign language aptitude and its relation to fluid and crystallized intelligence

Abstract

This article presents the empirical results of the study on the interaction between fluid and crystallized intelligence and individual differences in foreign language aptitude. The three-factor model of cognitive abilities was constructed and showed a suitable fit to empirical data. According to the model the latent factor of foreign language aptitude demonstrated strong positive correlations with the factors of both fluid and crystallized intelligence. Another important empirical result supports the existence of different patterns of relationships which disclose the variables under study as depending on the level of productivity in the language sphere. Namely, it was shown that on the high level of foreign language test performance there were no significant interactions between foreign language aptitude and different parameters of fluid and crystallized intelligence assessments. We discuss our findings in terms of contemporary approaches to understanding of differential impact of certain cognitive factors on foreign language aptitude

Keywords

• foreign language aptitude
• fluid and crystallized intelligence