Intelligence What is intelligence The Big Question Do

Intelligence What is intelligence?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is Intelligence? § Howard Gardner: Intelligence is a collection of abilities

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)

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

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

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

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

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