Relation Between Memory and Intelligence?

[Angrboda]

I would say intelligence has more to do with the quality of associations you make, not your ability to recall a large quantity of memories on command.

But if you remember more of what you experience, you have more raw material to form associations with.

[Whateverist]

I would say intelligence has more to do with the quality of associations you make, not your ability to recall a large quantity of memories on command.

But if you remember more of what you experience, you have more raw material to form associations with.

Without a doubt.  Still, if I were comparing the intelligence of two subjects I would be more impressed by the one who showed the more insight and more interesting connections.  (Not that I'm called on to do so very often.)

[Athene]

In Northern VA there's an assisted living facility specifically designed for former CIA employees and other persons with high security clearance, who are afflicted with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. They know entirely too much shit to be in a standard setting. Word is they give the staff a serious run for their money in keeping them from bypassing security measures and getting out.

Dementia-related memory loss typically affects short-term memory. An Alzheimer's patients may not remember what he or she had for breakfast, but they can often tell you exactly what happened when they invaded Normandy or how to prepare your tax return with perfect clarity. Their long-term memory often remains intact through the early and mid stages of the disease. Anything hard-wired, such as a life-long occupation tends to remain with them for quite some time. Of course, as the disease progresses, reasoning capabilities diminish as overall cognition function further declines.

I do believe that new tests are starting to be utilized in order to more accurately assess the level of cognitive decline in dementia patients, due to the fact highly intelligent individuals with exceptional verbal skills have been shown to "pass" current assessments, despite having a diagnosis of dementia.

All that aside, I do consider intelligence to be more dependent on the application of knowledge, rather than the collection of knowledge through memory. Neither would amount to much without the other, though.

[vorlon13]

Sadly, as I noted with Aunt Lois, no.

No, what? which question are you answering?

Can a person with less memory still show intelligence with the thing he does remember?