Introduction to Intelligence

What is Intelligence? On a sheet of paper, list behaviors you believe to be distinctively characteristic of particularly intelligent and of unintelligent people. IntelligentUnintelligent

What is Intelligence? Robert Sternberg and colleague’s research found answers of experts in the field of intelligence fell into three general classes: – Practical problem-solving skills – Verbal skills – Social competence

What is Intelligence? Consider the following people. Is intelligence the same for all of them? Kansas wheat farmer NASA Engineer Australian aborigine Politician Fur trapper Merchant ship captain African safari guide Symphony musician Sheep herder Architect Welder Custodian Physician High school student

What is Intelligence? Intelligence is defined as the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations. Does this change your thoughts about the previous list? Learn from experience Solve Problems Adapt to new situations

What is Intelligence? Intelligence is typically measured using an intelligence test. These tests assess people’s mental abilities and compares them with others, using numerical scores.

One General Ability or Several? You know those who might be gifted in science, or math, or art, or athletics, or drama. Some may be very good at one, but not another. Could you rate them on a single scale, or would you need several different scales?

One General Ability or Several? Charles Spearman believed we have one general intelligence – often shortened to the concept “g.” He recognized that people often have special abilities that stand out, but found that those who score high in one area typically score higher than average in other areas. g Spearman believed a common skill set, the “g” factor, underlies all intelligent behavior.

One General Ability or Several? L. L. Thurstone challenged Spearman’s theory, giving a series of 56 tests and mathematically identified seven clusters of primary mental abilities. — Word fluency — Perceptual speed — Verbal comprehension — Numerical ability — Spatial ability — Memory — Inductive reasoning

One General Ability or Several? Thurstone did not rank people on a single scale of general aptitude. However, when others studied these profiles, they detected a persistent tendency: those who excelled in one of the seven clusters generally scored well on the others! g

Interesting Facts About Intelligence 1.School attendance correlates with I.Q. Staying in school can elevate IQ, or keep it from slipping. 2.IQ is not influenced by birth order. The idea that birth order influences personality and intelligence has not stood up under scrutiny. 3.IQ is related to breast feeding. Even when controlled for other factors, breast fed babies appear to have an IQ of 3 to 8 points higher by age 3. 4.Intelligence is correlated with head size. Modern neuroimaging techniques demonstrate cranial volume is correlated with IQ.

Interesting Facts About Intelligence 5.Intelligence depends on context. Example: Racetrack handicappers who reasoned with high complexity but poorly in other areas of life. 6.IQ is going up. IQ has risen 20 points with every generation, called the Flynn effect. Attributed to better nutrition, more schooling and better educated parents. 7.Intelligence is plural, not singular. Researchers agree there are independent abilities such as spatial, verbal, analytical, and practical abilities. 8.Intelligence scores are predictive of real-world outcomes. Those with lowest levels of intellectual ability earn 2/3 the amount of workers at the highest level.