Theories of Intelligence

Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) One of the best psychometric theories Focus of the theory is on cognitive abilities and individual differences in these abilities This theory stemmed from the research of Spearman who proposed that underlying all types of cognitive ability was a factor called the general factor (g) In addition to g, there are specific factors called “s” factors that reflect more unique abilities These two factors led to the theory being known as a “two-factor theory of intelligence”

CHC Ray Cattell, student of Spearman, further proposed that the general factor (g) be divided into two categories: Fluid Intelligence (Gf) Crystallised Intelligence (Gc) Horn and Carroll, students of Cattell made further modifications and what was originally Spearman’s theory became the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory of Intelligence

CHC So what did Horn and Carroll add to the theory? Horn and Carroll further defined fluid and crystallised intelligence They created three levels of intelligence and the theory became known as a “three stratum model”. The highest level (Stratum I) represents the general factor and is most important to intelligence The second level (Stratum II) includes 8 abilities including fluid and crystallised intelligence The third level (Stratum III) refers to abilities such as reaction time, visual memory, spatial scanning, and sound discrimination. There are actually 70 in total.

Fluid Intelligence Refers to a range of mental abilities such as memory, reasoning, logic, and recognition. Relied on to solve novel problems Largely inherited so independent of education Declines with age

Crystallised Intelligence Refers to specific information and skills obtained through schooling i.e. Reading level, vocabulary, knowledge of times tables, etc Linked to fluid intelligence as a person with a high level of fluid intelligence will find it easier to learn Increases across the lifespan

Evaluation of CHC Most scientifically supported as the theory is based on lots of data Some suggestion that Stratum II should contain motor abilities as well Stratum IIIz is still being researched and updated today so exact number of abilities is undefined

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory Robert Sternberg defined intelligence as “your skill in achieving whatever it is you want to attain in your life within your socio-cultural context by capitalising on your strengths and compensating for your weaknesses” Sternberg focussed on people’ s ability to achieve what they wanted in life and not how they went at school Sternberg divided intelligence into three components and claimed that intelligence behaviour occurred when these three components were in balance

Sternberg’s Three Intelligences

Analytic Intelligence- becoming aware of and analysing information Creativity- able to present new ideas and follow them through Practical Intelligence- able to adapt to the environment Successful Intelligence: The ability to achieve success in life as defined by a person’s own standards within their own social context.

Evaluation of Sternberg’s Theory Does not limit intelligence to just cognitive skills But empirical evidence for the theory is lacking

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory Believed that people used different mental languages for their thinking Proposed that people have different intelligences. Further proposed that every person has all types of intelligence but to varying degrees. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Gardiner identified the different types of intelligences using certain criteria:

Criteria to Support Gardner’s Theory of Distinct Intelligences Criteria 1: The existence of exceptional individuals Criteria 2: People often may experience disability in one intelligence but excel in another area Criteria 3: Different skills or abilities (intelligences) develop at different times Criteria 4: Experimental support From these criteria, Gardner has identified nine intelligences:

Gardner’s Nine Intelligences

Evaluating Gardner’s Approach Stressed that intelligence was not just a single factor; people have different intelligences. This appeals to many who feel that an IQ score or the idea of general intelligence (g) is too narrow. Research however does support the idea of a general intelligence factor. There is little evidence for Gardner’s theory. He suggested that different types of intelligence reside in different parts of the brain. To date there is not evidence of this. Currently there are 9 intelligences but originally only 7. Will Garner keep adding more? When does it stop? Some have argued that some “intelligences” are not actually intelligences at all but just skills.

Emotional Intelligence Developed by Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1997 They defined Emotional Intelligence as “the ability to monitor one’s own and other’s feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions” They linked success in life to the concept of emotional intelligence suggesting that emotional intelligence is a more powerful predictor of success in life and therefore more relevant than traditional measures of intelligence. Links in with the Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Intelligences of Gardner’s MI.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) The most popular model of EI is the ability based model. This model emphasises the importance of emotions in guiding us through social interaction. In the ability based model, there are four abilities:

Ability based model of EI 1. Self Perception: the ability to perceive, appraise and express emotion accurately 2. Thought facilitation: the ability to communicate feelings or to use emotion with other cognitive processes 3. Social Understanding: the ability to understand emotions 4. Relationship Management: the ability to regulate your own and other’s emotions The abilities above develop in sequence (1 to 4) from childhood

Testing EI EI is testing using various questionnaires that usually ask participants to rate statements on a Likert Scale While we can assume that being able to understand and regulate emotion does have an impact on your life, is there any empirical evidence? So far correlations has been found between EI and positive family and intimate relationships, academic performance, relationships are work and overall psychological well-being.

Evaluation of EI EI is not clearly defined; the definition keeps changing Is EI actually intelligence or is it more related to personality The measure used to test EI are based on knowledge (Likert scale) and not actual ability

Intelligence: Nature or Nurture? Historically it was thought that intelligence was entirely genetic. Several psychologists had noticed that family members obtained similar intelligence scores. What they neglected to realise however was that families share not only genes but their environment. Therefore, psychologists used twin studies to investigate the role of nature and nurture in intelligence,

Nature vs. Nurture The intelligence of monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (non-identical) twins were compared. It would be suggested that if the IQ scores of monozygotic twins were more similar to dizygotic twins then intelligence is more genetic than environmental. What did the studies find? The studies found that the intelligence levels of monozygotic twins were significantly more similar than dizygotic twins. This suggested that intelligence is largely inherited.

Nature vs. Nurture While the studies suggest there is a large genetic component to intelligence, the environment does play a role also. Support for this has been found when analysing the intelligences of adopted children and normal siblings. Any group raised together have been found to have more similar intelligences than when they are raised apart. Also, children raised in poverty tended to have lower intelligence levels. When removed from this environment, they experienced gains.

Interaction between Genetics and the Environment It appears that genetics sets the upper and lower limits to our intelligence. This range is known as the reaction range. This reaction range can vary between 10 – 25 IQ points. The environment then determines where within that range a person is placed.