Intelligence – Theories

RG 11a

Intelligence

Do we have an inborn general mental capacity

(intelligence) and can we quantify this capacity

as a meaningful number?

What do you think?

What is Intelligence?

Intelligence (in all cultures) is the capacity to

understand the world, think rationally, and use

resources effectively when faced with

challenges

In research studies, intelligence is whatever the

intelligence tests measure … which tends to be

school smarts.

Who is intelligent?

Remembering the definition of intelligence…

Conceptual Difficulties

Psychologists believe that intelligence is a

concept and not a “thing.”

When we think of intelligence as a trait (thing)

we commit to an error called reification —

viewing an abstract immaterial concept as if it

were a concrete thing.

Controversies about Intelligence

Despite general agreement among

psychologists about the nature of intelligence,

there are two controversies that remain:

1.Is intelligence a single overall ability or

several specific abilities?

2.With modern neuroscience techniques can

we locate and measure intelligence within the

brain?

Theories of Intelligence Mind Map

On Bubbl.us you will create a "mind map" that

shows the organization of the theories of

intelligence. Remember, they all play off of

each other, whether somewhat agreeing or

criticising what came before them.

You need to show how they are interconnected.

Also make sure to show the following:

1. Names

2. Describe the theories

3. The "big thing" they came up with

General Intelligence

Charles Spearman (1863-1945)

Believed that there was a single,

general factor for all mental

ability…didn’t deny that some

people have outstanding talents,

but felt these differences

shouldn’t blind us to a single

general intelligence

General Intelligence

Spearman proposed that general intelligence

(g), is linked to many clusters that can be

analyzed by factor analysis that create a single

underlying aspect of intelligence.

For example, people who do well on vocabulary

do well on paragraph comprehension, a cluster

that helps define verbal intelligence…other

general factors include spatial ability & a

reasoning ability.

General IntelligenceL. L. Thurstone, a critic of Spearman, analyzed

his subjects NOT on a single scale of general

intelligence, but on seven clusters of primary

mental abilities including:1.Word Fluency

2.Verbal Comprehension

3.Spatial Ability

4.Perceptual Speed

5.Numerical Ability

6.Inductive Reasoning

7.Memory

General Intelligence

Later psychologists analyzed Thurstone’s data

and a persistent tendency between these

clusters (those who excelled in one area,

scored well on the others), suggesting some

evidence supporting a g-factor that underlies all

aspects of intelligence.Think of someone you know of who is

athletic. What makes them athletic? Can you

define athleticism? Being “athletic” is a good

analogy to having g.

Contemporary Intelligence Theories

Howard Gardner (1983, 1999) supports

Thurstone’s idea that intelligence comes in

multiple forms. Gardner notes that brain

damage may diminish one type of ability but not

others…so there must be many facets of

intelligence

People with savant syndrome excel in abilities

not related to general intelligence.

Howard GardnerGardner believes in multiple intelligences – 9

different forms of intelligence, each relatively

independent of the others

It's not how smart you are, 

it's how you are smart!

- Howard Gardner Interview, "Common Miracles"

ABC 1993

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Robert SternbergSternberg (1985, 1999, 2003) also

agrees with Gardner, but suggests a

triarchic theory with three intelligences

rather than eight. “If IQ rules, it is only because we let it. And when we let it

rule, we choose a bad master. We got ourselves into the test

mess; we can get ourselves out of it.”1.Analytical Intelligence: Assessed by intelligence

tests.

2.Creative Intelligence: Intelligence that makes us

adapt to novel situations, generating novel ideas.

3.Practical Intelligence: Intelligence required for

everyday tasks (e.g. street smart).

Robert SternbergSternberg proposed seven types of people, based on combinations of

his three intelligences…● The Analyzer fares well in academic environments, but isn't likely to make a

creative contribution to the field. ● The Creator generates ideas easily, but is unable to analyze these ideas or to

put them into practice.  ● The Practioner is persuasive and maybe entertaining, but lacks substance in

thinking. ● The Analytical Creator is able to analyze created ideas, but doesn't easily

communicate these ideas to others. ● The Analytical Practioner succeeds in conventional terms because high IQ is

translated into practical work, but he is unlikely to make a lasting contribution. ● The Creative Practioner has the ability to come up with new ideas and can

persuade other people of the value of these ideas, regardless whether those

ideas are worth it or not. ● The Consummate Balancer is able to apply all of the three intelligences as

needed, and is therefore in the best position to make a valuable contribution to

society.

Emotional Intelligence

Daniel Goleman

●believes emotional intelligence (EQ) – a set of

skills that underlie the accurate assessment,

evaluation, expression and regulation of

emotions – is also important

●this aspect of intelligence underlies the ability

to get along well with others and shows that

while individuals may not have high traditional

IQ scores, they can be extremely successful

due to a high EQ because they can “read”

people

Emotional Intelligence: Components

Component Description

Perceive emotion Recognize emotions in faces, music and stories

Understand emotion Predict emotions, how they change and blend

Manage emotion Express emotions in different situations

Use emotion Utilize emotions to adapt or be creative

Emotional Intelligence: Criticism

Gardner and others criticize the idea of emotional

intelligence and question whether we stretch this

idea of intelligence too far when we apply it to

emotions – plus it has yet to be quantified in a

rigorous manner (hard to test)

Also…much controversy has

surrounded the teaching of EQ as

many believe that this should not be

“taught” by anyone other than

families

Intelligence and CreativityCreativity is the ability to produce ideas that are

both novel and valuable. It correlates somewhat

with intelligence…and includes the following

factors:1.Expertise: A well developed knowledge base.

2.Imaginative Thinking: The ability to see things in

novel ways.

3.Adventuresome Personality: Seeks new experiences

rather than following the pack.

4.Intrinsic Motivation: Motivated to be creative from

within.

5.A Creative Environment: Creativity blooms in creative

and supportive environment.

Is Intelligence Neurologically

Measurable?Recent Studies indicate some correlation (about

+.40) between brain size and intelligence. As brain

size decreases with age, scores on verbal

intelligence also decrease.

Gray matter concentration in people with high intelligence.

Brain FunctionStudies of brain functioning show that people who

score high on intelligence tests perceive stimuli

faster, retrieve information from memory quickly,

and show faster brain response times.

People with higher intelligence respond correctly faster to

the above question.