1. Intelligence What is intelligence?

2. The Big Question: Do each of us have an inborn general mental capacity, and can we quantify this capacity as a meaningful number? –What is intelligence? –How can we best assess it? –Is it a product of hereditary or the environment? –What do different intelligence tests and scores really mean?

3. What is Intelligence?  Intelligence is a socially constructed concept  Cultures deem “intelligent” whatever attributes enable success in that culture  Intelligence is...  The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations

4. What is Intelligence? Is intelligence a single, overall ability or a collection of abilities? Is intelligence measurable?

5. What is Intelligence?  Charles Spearman: Intelligence is a single overall ability  Factor Analysis  statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items (called factors) on a test  used to identify different dimensions of performance that underlie one’s total score

6. What is Intelligence?  Charles Spearman: Intelligence is a single overall ability  General Intelligence (g factor)  factor that Spearman and others believed underlies specific mental abilities  measured by every task on an intelligence test

7. What is Intelligence?  L.L. Thurstone: Intelligence is a single overall ability  Identified “clusters” of intelligence  Word fluency, verbal comprehension, spatial ability, perceptual speed, numerical ability, inductive reasoning, and memory  Intellectual ability is similar to athletic ability

8. What is Intelligence?  S. Kanazawa (2004): Intelligence is a single overall ability  General intelligence helps solve novel problems  General intelligence scores do correlate with ability to solve novel problems  Does not correlate with solving of familiar problems

9. What is Intelligence?  Howard Gardner: Intelligence is a collection of abilities  Multiple Intelligences  Independent areas of intelligence  People can be strong in one area and weaker in others  There remains a tendency for different skills to correlate

10. What is Intelligence?  Howard Gardner: Intelligence is a collection of abilities

11. What is Intelligence?  Robert Sternberg: Intelligence is a collection of abilities  Analytical intelligence (academic problem solving)  Creative intelligence (reacting to novel situations)  Practical intelligence (required for everyday tasks)

12. What is Intelligence?  Other aspects of intelligence  Social Intelligence  the know-how involved in comprehending social situations and managing oneself successfully

13. What is Intelligence?  Other aspects of intelligence  Emotional Intelligence  ability to perceive, express, understand, and regulate emotions

14. Emotional Intelligence Why are some high aptitude people terrible at marriage, raising children, and forming relationships? Emotionally intelligent people: –Are Self-aware –Can delay gratification –Are good at empathy –Are sought out when we need help –Can read other’s emotions

15. Emotional Intelligence Three aspects of emotional intelligence –Perceive emotions –Understand emotions –Regulate emotions

16. Intelligence and Creativity A certain level of intelligence is necessary but not sufficient for creativity Components of creativity –Expertise –Imaginative thinking skills –A venturesome personality –Intrinsic motivation –A creative environment