Intelligence Definitions: –Terman (1921): ability to carry on abstract thought –Binet (1905): collection of faculties: judgment, practical sense, initiative, ability to adapt –Wechsler (1958): aggregate capacity to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with the environment Known by what it enables us to do Qualitatively different abilities –Sternberg (1986): mental activity involved in purposive adaptation

Theories of Intelligence 2 major schools of thought: 1.One general factor, g Spearman 2.Different types of intelligence (disagreement about what those are) Sternberg, Gardner, Thurstone

One general factor theory Spearman’s g –Used factor analysis –g = general mental ability –Complicated mental activities are highest in g –Specific factors may also be included

One General Intelligence Support for this approach: 1.Positive manifold – high correlations between different tests of cognitive ability 2.Neural processing speed i.e. speed of processing

Different factors approach to intelligence Thurstone: –NOT a unitary trait –Differing types of abilities: 1.Verbal 2.Perceptual speed 3.Inductive reasoning 4.Numbers 5.Rote memory 6.Deductive reasoning 7.Word fluency 8.visualization

Alternative theories of multiple intelligences Gardner’s theory: –7 different forms of intelligence Linguistic – use of language Musical – rhythm, pitch Spatial – perceiving visual world Bodily – kinesthetic awareness, movement Interpersonal – knowledge of others’s moods, motivations, etc. Intrapersonal – knowledge of self, feelings Logic-mathematical – logical thinking, numerical ability

Another theory of multiple intelligence Fluid & Crystallized intelligence (Horn) –Fluid = basic reasoning ability, ability to learn Nonverbal mental efficiency Strong physiological base –Crystallized = acquired skills and knowledge Knowledge of general information Influenced by education and culture

One more theory of multiple intelligences Sternberg: 3 dimensions of intelligence 1.Analytical – internal mental mechanisms –Mental processes –Used to learn new things –Execute behavior –Higher-order processing such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating 2.Creative (experiential)– intelligence related to novel stimuli –Ability to apply existing knowledge to new problems –Implication: our experiences impact our IQ. Very difficult to compare people across sociocultural groups due to differences in experience. 3.Practical (contextual) – IQ related to external world –Ability to deal with everyday tasks –i.e. not just academic or book learning