What is intelligence? Think of the smartest person you know. Why did you pick that person? Think of some other intelligent people. What makes them different? Intelligence is hard to nail down.

Official Definition Intelligence – The ability to learn from one’s experiences, acquire knowledge, and use resources effectively in adapting to new situations or solving problems.

Theories of Intelligence Spearman, 1904: Two primary intellectual abilities General intelligence (g factor) Overall Reasoning & Problem solving Specific intelligence (s factor) Excellence in task-specific abilities e.g. music or math

More Theories of Intelligence Sternberg’s triarchic theory. Identifies 3 distinct kinds of intelligence Analytical, Creative, and Practical Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. Identifies 9 different types of intelligence

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Spatial (i.e. Solving puzzles) Linguistic (i.e. Reading and writing) Logical (i.e. Mathematics) Kinesthetic (i.e. Timing and hand-eye coordination. Musical (i.e. Sensitivity to sounds) Interpersonal - Interaction with others Intrapersonal (i.e. Self-reflection) Naturalistic - Awareness of natural surroundings Existential - Spiritual or religious intelligence

Measuring Intelligence Stanford-Binet: Intelligence Quotient Intelligence can be identified by dividing mental age by chronological age and multiplying by 100. IQ = (MA/CA)*100 Example: a 10 year old thinks like a 15 year old. His IQ is (15/10)*100, or 150. Allows us to make comparisons based on age. Intended to measure learning ability, not what is already known.

It’s Not Perfect Problems with IQ: Originally designed for children

Wechsler’s Response Wechsler developed new tests. He targeted three specific age groups. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)

Bigger Problems IQ tests have a cultural bias. Tests often draw on past experience. Language differences. Picture-only IQ tests.

Individual Differences Mental Retardation: IQ is 70, or lower and low score on adaptive functioning scale. Giftedness: IQ is 130 and above

Mental Retardation Developmentally delayed - condition in which a person’s behavioral and cognitive skills exist at an earlier developmental stage than the skills of others who are the same chronological age. A more acceptable term for mental retardation. A 20 year old acts like a 10 year old. (10/20)*100. Their IQ is 50.

Mental Retardation Levels of developmental delay Mild: 55-70 IQ Moderate: 40-55 IQ Severe: 25-40 IQ Profound: Below 25 IQ

Mental Retardation What does it mean to have a low IQ?

Mental Retardation Causes: Deprived Environment Inadequate healthcare; Under-stimulation. Chromosome & Genetic Disorders Down Syndrome & Trisomy 21: each cell in the body has three copies of chromosome 21, instead of two. Trisomy 21 is not inherited. Dietary Deficiencies Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; Malnutrition

Giftedness Gifted - the 2 percent of the population falling on the upper end of the normal curve and typically possessing an IQ of 130 or above.

Heredity, Environment, & Intelligence Stronger correlations are found between IQ scores as genetic relatedness increases. Heritability of IQ is estimated to be .50. However, genes always interact with environmental factors to determine IQ. In some extreme cases, the environment can modify even very heritable traits. i.e. Feral Children

Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence – Awareness and ability to manage one’s own emotions as well as the ability to be self-motivated, able to feel what others feel, and socially skilled. Can you think of anyone that has plenty of “book smarts,” but no common sense?

Emotional Intelligence So, are gifted people weird? What about “Mad Scientists?” Lewis M. Terman (1921): 1,528 gifted children in a longitudinal study. He found that gifted children were socially well adjusted and often skilled leaders. He found that the gifted were not more susceptible to mental illness, but more resilient. Typically, they grew into successful adults.

Emotional Intelligence Criticisms Terman’s study has been criticized for a lack of objectivity because he became too involved in the lives of his participants, even to the point of interfering on their behalf.