Theories of Intelligence Is intelligence a single, general ability or is it a cluster of different mental abilities? Do current IQ tests measure it or should it be more broadly defined?

Intelligence Is a concept not a thing One’s ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations Two Camps of Intelligence Theory: Generalists – only one general overall type of intelligence that influences all mental abilities Multiples – separate kinds of intelligences which one can have a strength or weakness in Intelligence Test – assess a person’s mental abilities an compares them with others using numerical scores

Theories of Intelligence Charles Spearman—“g” factor (general intelligence) Louis Thurstone—intelligence as a person’s “pattern” of mental abilities Howard Gardner—multiple intelligences Sternberg–Triarchic theory Emotional Intelligence - ability to perceive, express, understand, and regulate emotions

Charles Spearman (1863-1945) General Intelligence (g-factor) Theorized that one general intelligence factor (g) underlies other, more specific aspects of intelligence Used factor analysis to find clusters of related areas. Noticed that people who did well on one test tended to do similarly well on other tests of mental ability. Agreed with Terman that a single overall IQ score was best.

Louis L. Thurstone Intelligence is a cluster of abilities. Believed intelligence comprised of 7 different “primary mental abilities” each independent from the other. Examples: Verbal Comprehension, numerical ability, reasoning & perceptual speed The g factor was just an overall average score of these independent abilities. Looked for a pattern of mental abilities like Wechsler.

Howard Gardner (1943- ) Multiple Intelligences Studying Savant Syndrome & noticed how despite extreme deficits, the individuals had “islands of brilliance” in specific areas Multiple Intelligences – 8 independent mental abilities that allow a person to solve problems, create products that are valued within one’s culture. Intelligence defined within the context of culture Can’t really measure it using a standard IQ test.

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Gardner’s Types of Intelligence

Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Discovering Psy Fig 7.7 page 263

Howard Gardner’s Eight Intelligences Aptitude Example 1. Linguistic (“word smart”) Toni Morrison, writer 2. Logical-mathematical (“number smart”) Albert Einstein, scientist 3. Musical (“music smart”) Wynton Marsalis, musician 4. Spatial (“art smart”) Frida Kahlo, artist 5. Bodily-kinesthetic (“body smart”) Tiger Woods, athlete 6. Intrapersonal (“self smart”) Anna Freud, psychoanalyst 7. Interpersonal (“people smart”) Mahatma Gandhi, leader 8. Naturalist (“nature smart”) John Audubon, naturalist NOTES Point out that Howard Gardener (1943 - ) claimed that each form of intelligence is controlled by different parts of the brain, and each form is capable of solving problems or creating products that are valued within most cultures. Also point out that most occupations require a combination of several of these forms of intelligence. Further point out that Robert Sternberg (1949 - ) developed the “triarchic theory,” which distinguishes three intelligences: (1) analytic (academic problem-solving) intelligence, which may be assessed by intelligence tests (2) creative intelligence, demonstrated in reacting adaptively to novel situations and generating novel ideas (3) practical intelligence, often required for everyday tasks, which are frequently ill-defined, with multiple solutions. Sources: Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books. Sternberg, R.J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A triarchic theory of himna intelligence, New York: Cambridge University Press.

Robert Sternberg (1949- ) Triarchic Theory of Intelligence Author of a Triarchic theory of multiple intelligences consisting of of 3 mental abilities

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory Analytic/Academic “intelligence”—mental processes used in learning how to solve problems Creative “intelligence”—ability to deal with new situations by drawing on existing skills and knowledge Practical “intelligence”—ability to adapt to the environment (street smarts)

Sternberg’s Types of Intelligence

Sternberg’s Types of Intelligence

Sternberg’s Types of Intelligence

Triarchic Examples in Literature

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Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence Social Intelligence – know-how involved in successfully understanding social situations EI - The ability to perceive, express, understand, regulate & use emotions People high in emotional intelligence are more in touch with their feelings and the feelings of others. Indicator of better job performance, ability to work with others, ability to delay gratification

Emotional Intelligence

Brain Size = Intelligence? About a +.33 correlation between brain size and IQ Intelligent people tend to have larger and more active frontal & parietal lobes Front lobe used to organize and coordinate info Lots of gray matter (neural cells) and white matter (axons) = efficient communication in the brain Smart people have efficient brains that use less energy to solve problems Intelligence typically means quicker thinking