Intelligence – What’s That?

Ms. Lee MoonAxia College of University of Phoenix

Intelligence is in reference to a person’s general intellectual ability.

Intelligence can be defined as a person’s ability or abilities to acquire and use of knowledge for adapting to the

world or solving problems.

What is Intelligence?

Charles SpearmanMaintained intelligence is quite general “mental energy”.

The intelligent person: Understands things quickly Makes sound decisions Carries on interesting conversations Behaves intelligently in many situations

The differences, in which some are quicker than others in miscellaneous areas, are ways in which the same underlying general intelligence reveals itself.

Early Theorists & Theories

L. L. ThurstoneIntelligence comprises seven distinct mental abilities:

Abilities are relatively independent of one another.

So a person with exceptional perceptual speed might lack word fluency.

Early Theorists & Theories

Spatial AbilityPerceptual SpeedNumerical AbilityVerbal Meaning

MemoryWord FluencyReasoning

R. B. CattellIdentified only two “Clusters” of intelligence:

Experiences have a profound effect on Crystallized Intelligence.

Experiences like education have little impact on Fluid Intelligence.

Early Theorists & Theories

Crystallized Intelligence

Fluid Intelligence

Reasoning Verbal Numerical

Spatial Visual ImageryNotice Visual Details

Robert SternbergTriarchic Theory

Identified three basic areas of intelligence:

Analytical Intelligence - Mental Processes Creative Intelligence – Adapt and respond creatively. Practical Intelligence – Solve personal and untaught problems.

Contemporary Theorists & Theories

Howard GardnerTheory of Multiple Intelligences

Identified eight separate areas of intelligence: Logical-mathematical Linguistic Spatial Musical Bodily-Kinesthetic Interpersonal Intrapersonal, Naturalistic.

Gardner also notes that the different forms of intelligence often have different values placed on them by different cultures.

Contemporary Theorists & Theories

Daniel GolemanTheory of Emotional Intelligence

Centers how effectively people perceive and understand their own emotions and the emotions of others and can manage their emotional

behavior.

Knowing one’s own emotions Managing one’s emotions Using emotions to motivate oneself Recognizing the emotions of other people Managing relationships

Goleman’s concept is relatively new and while some remainskeptical, some studies have shown promising results.

Contemporary Theorists & Theories

The theories that have been presented thus far shape the content ofintelligence tests which are used to measure intelligence or IQ.

Different tests include: The Stanford-Binet Intelligence ScaleThe Wechsler Intelligence ScalesGroup TestsPerformance & Culture-Fair Tests

Measuring Intelligence

Intelligence Test – Good CharacteristicsTests must be:

Reliable – Dependability & Consistency of scores yielded.Validity – Can it measure what it is designed to?

Morris, C. G. & Maisto, A. A. (2005) Psychology An Introduction (12 Ed.) Chapter 8 - Intelligence and Mental Abilities (pp. 293-327) Published by Prentice-Hall.

Image Credits◦ Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2004). Charles Spearman [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.fa100.info/

◦ L.L. Thurston Psychometric Laboratory (2004). L.L. Thurston [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.unc.edu/depts/quantpsy/thurstone/history.htm

◦ Gillis, J. (2007). R. B. Cattell [Photo]. Retrieved from St. Thomas University California website at http://www.stthomasu.ca/~jgillis/cattell.html

◦ University of Cambridge (2008) Robert Sternberg [Photo]. Retrieved http://www.psychometrics.ppsis.cam.ac.uk/page/68/bob-sternberg.htm

◦ Harvard Graduate School of Education (2009). Howard Gardner [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/features/gardner06012004.html

◦ Audiofile (2007) Daniel Goleman [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/features/A1909.html

Works Cited