Intelligence is one of the most talked-about subjects in psychology, but no standard definition exists. Some researchers have suggested that intelligence is a single, general ability. Other theories of intelligence hold that intelligence encompasses a range of aptitudes, skills, and talents. Show
What Is Intelligence?Despite substantial interest in the subject, there still isn't a consensus among experts about the components of intelligence or whether accurate measurements of intelligence are even possible. Although contemporary definitions of intelligence vary considerably, experts generally agree that intelligence involves mental abilities such as logic, reasoning, problem-solving, and planning. Specifically, current definitions tend to suggest that intelligence is the ability to:
Research on intelligence plays a significant role in many areas including educational program funding, job applicant screening, and testing to identify children who need additional academic help. Main Theories of Intelligence in PsychologyGiven the intense interest in the concept of intelligence, some of the field's greatest minds have explored it from numerous angles. Following are some of the major theories of intelligence that have emerged in the last 100 years. Major Types of Intelligence Theories
General IntelligenceBritish psychologist Charles Spearman (1863–1945) described the concept of general intelligence, or the "g factor." After using factor analysis to examine mental aptitude tests, Spearman concluded that scores on these tests were remarkably similar. People who performed well on one cognitive test tended to perform well on other tests, while those who scored badly on one test tended to score badly on others. He concluded that intelligence is a general cognitive ability that researchers can measure and express numerically. Primary Mental AbilitiesPsychologist Louis L. Thurstone (1887–1955) focused on seven primary mental abilities rather than a single, general ability. These include:
Multiple IntelligencesAmong more recent ideas about intelligence is Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. He proposed that traditional IQ testing does not fully and accurately depict a person's abilities. He proposed eight different intelligences based on skills and abilities that are valued in various cultures:
What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have? The Triarchic Approach to IntelligencePsychologist Robert Sternberg defined intelligence as "mental activity directed toward purposive adaptation to, selection, and shaping of real-world environments relevant to one's life." Although he agreed with Gardner that intelligence is much broader than a single, general ability, he suggested that some of Gardner's types of intelligence are better viewed as individual talents. Sternberg proposed the concept of "successful intelligence," which involves three factors:
Other Types of IntelligenceOf course, there are many other theories on the types of intelligence humans possess. Fluid vs. Crystallized IntelligencePsychologist Raymon Cattell, along with his student John Horn, created the theory of fluid vs. crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence involves the ability to solve new problems without relying on knowledge from previous experiences. According to the theory, a person's fluid intelligence declines as they get older. Crystallized intelligence, on the other hand, increases with age—this type of intelligence is based on concrete facts and experiences. Emotional IntelligenceEmotional intelligence (sometimes called EQ) refers to a person's ability to regulate emotions, and use their emotions to relate to others. Signs of emotional intelligence include strong self-awareness, empathy, embracing change, and managing emotions in difficult situations. Intelligence (IQ) TestingEfforts to quantify intelligence took a significant leap forward when German psychologist William Stern first coined the term "intelligence quotient" (IQ) in the early 20th century. Psychologist Alfred Binet developed the very first intelligence tests to help the French government identify schoolchildren who needed extra academic assistance. Binet was the first to introduce the concept of mental age: a set of abilities that children of a certain age possess. Since that time, intelligence testing has emerged as a widely used tool that has led to many other tests of skill and aptitude. However, IQ testing continues to spur debate over its use, cultural biases, influences on intelligence, and even the very way we define intelligence. How Psychologists and Psychiatrists Measure IntelligenceExperts use a variety of standardized tests to measure intelligence. Some are aptitude tests administered in a group setting such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT). Others are IQ tests given to individuals. IQ test scores average around 100. Most children with intellectual disabilities (85%) score between 55 and 70. Severe disabilities usually correspond to still lower scores. The following is a brief history of IQ tests as they were developed:
Other tests that psychologists and psychiatrists use today include the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, the Cognitive Assessment System, and the Differential Ability Scale. What Is an IQ Test? Questions About IQ TestingThe study of the human mind is difficult, in part, because the most important tool in the effort is the same as the subject itself. As humans, researchers bring not only their knowledge and expertise, but also their biases, experiences, cultural backgrounds, and beliefs to the table; like all scientific experts, they must combat their own humanness to strive for objectivity. In addition, there's the sheer complexity of the human mind and the challenges in measuring a trait that has so many conflicting definitions and nuances. No single standard for intelligence or its quantification as yet exists. It's no surprise, then, that important questions about intelligence and IQ testing remain unanswered, at least in part. Some of these include:
To explore these questions, psychologists continue to research the nature, influences, and effects of intelligence. Their ongoing findings resonate across society, from education and the workplace to medical and behavioral diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. A Word From VerywellDespite considerable debate, no definitive conceptualization of intelligence has emerged in the field of psychology. Today, psychologists often account for the many theoretical viewpoints when discussing intelligence and acknowledge that the debate is ongoing. Frequently Asked Questions
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