Abstract: Implicit theories of intelligence refer to individuals’ beliefs regarding the stability of intelligence. Previous studies in this domain often lack operational definitions of intelligence and fail to differentiate between the constructs of intelligence and ability, ignoring the possible differences in individuals’ views on their stability. Two questionnaire survey studies were conducted and university students were recruited as participants to examine the differences between individuals’ implicit theories of intelligence and implicit theories of ability (i.e., views about the stability of ability). In Study 1 (N=393), all participants completed both the implicit theories of intelligence and the implicit theories of ability scales, whereas in Study 2 (N=180), participants were randomly assigned to complete only one of the two scales. Results showed that university students perceived ability as significantly more malleable than intelligence. This finding suggests that individuals’ beliefs about the stability of intelligence and ability are highly complex. Therefore, it is suggested that subsequent research should pay attention to precise conceptual definition and terminological coherence.