Final answer:
Casey's ability to learn new programming languages and solve problems showcases fluid intelligence, which is crucial for handling complex, abstract challenges in daily life.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a 35-year-old software developer, Casey's ability to learn new programming languages and solve complex problems is a demonstration of fluid intelligence. Fluid intelligence is the capacity to see complex relationships and solve problems, a characteristic that is vital for challenging and abstract tasks in daily life, such as navigating unfamiliar situations or learning new technologies. Raymond Cattell's theory of intelligence suggests that this type of intelligence is critical for processing information and dealing with novel situations, as opposed to crystallized intelligence, which is based on acquired knowledge and past experiences.
This concept is distinct from functional fixedness, which can hinder problem-solving by limiting a person's ability to use objects in unconventional ways. It is also different from the Flynn effect, which is the observation that IQ scores have been increasing with each generation. Understanding and cultivating fluid intelligence can be an asset in fields that require constant adaptation and learning, such as software development.