CH 9: INTELLIGENCE

Intelligence is the ability to learn from experiences, think rationally, and deal effectively with others. One may be intelligent and not know a lot. One can be more intelligent in certain areas and less intelligent in other areas.  There are several ways of measuring intelligence. Also, there are several ranges of intelligence depending on how smart one is. Several factor influence intelligence as well.  

There are several theories about what exactly makes up intelligence.  The first theory is the Spearman’s Two Factor Theory. According to this theory intelligent behaviors have a common pattern also known as the general intelligence. This general intelligence represents reason and problem solving abilities. However, there are also particular abilities which are known as the specific intelligence. Thurstone’s Theory of Primary Mental Abilities suggests that eight factors or primary mental abilities make up intelligence. These include the visual spatial ability, perceptual speed, numeric ability, verbal meaning, memory, word fluency, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning. On the other hand Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences suggests that there are several different kinds of intelligence such as the linguistic, logical mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical rhythmic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory states that intelligence includes analytic, creative, and practical abilities and that these work together. There is also the emotional intelligence which includes self awareness, mood management, self-motivation, impulse control, and people skills.

            Intelligence can be measured in several ways. The Stanford-Binet Scale is a test to measure intelligence. This test yielded a score called mental age. This is not the same as chronological age. The version used today of this test is called the IQ or intellectual quotient. In the IQ the mental age is divided by the chronological age and multiplied by 100.  Another intelligence measurer is The Wechsler Scales.  This consists of subtests and each measures a different intellectual skill. In the end it reveals strengths and weaknesses and intellectual functioning. Intelligence tests must be reliable and valid. These tests are not perfect. There are several factors that can influence the score you get in an Iq for example. Without considering this, intelligence test are highly effective and useful.

            The test mentioned before help identify differences in intelligence.  With these tests one can identify if one has intellectual difficulties like mental retardation. One has mental retardation when the IQ is below 70. Retardation has several levels.  There is mild retardation, moderate retardation, severe retardation, and profound retardation. Retardation can be caused by accidents that cause brain damage during childbirth, by pregnant women who abuse of drugs or alcohol. There can also be genetic disorders. On the other hand there are gifted people who have an IQ over 130.  It is believed that motivation and creativity help breed a gifted person.

            Intelligence can be seen in many ways and forms. It can be measured through several processes. All this intelligence can be influenced by biological and environmental factors. It is because of intelligence that we are capable of understanding our surroundings and our everyday life. Intelligence is something fundamental.  

As we can see here, one of the most known gifted person.