Intuition and Deliberation in Fluid Intelligence Tests: Two Possible Routes to Success

Fluid intelligence, often assessed through abstract reasoning tasks, is typically assumed to rely on deliberative, effortful problem solving. However, recent findings within the dual-process framework of reasoning suggest an alternative possibility: individuals with higher intelligence may generate correct responses intuitively, without engaging in deliberation. To test this “smart intuitor” hypothesis, we conducted two studies using a two-response paradigm. Participants solved abstract reasoning matrices, first providing an initial response under time pressure and concurrent cognitive load to minimize deliberation, followed by a final response without such constraints. Results consistently showed that although correct final responses were primarily achieved through corrective deliberation, a substantial number of correct answers were already produced during the initial intuitive stage. Notably, over 20% of sound reasoners produced consistently correct intuitive responses and qualified as “smart intuitors.” These findings suggest that while deliberation remains the dominant route to correct abstract reasoning, it is not the only one. Intuition can also support successful performance on abstract reasoning tasks, at least for a subset of individuals. Our results call for a broader conception of fluid intelligence—one that recognizes the contributions of both reflective and intuitive processes.