Intelligence What is intelligence?

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?  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