1. Intelligence – Theories RG 11a

2. Intelligence Do we have an inborn general mental capacity (intelligence) and can we quantify this capacity as a meaningful number? What do you think?

3. What is Intelligence? Intelligence (in all cultures) is the capacity to understand the world, think rationally, and use resources effectively when faced with challenges In research studies, intelligence is whatever the intelligence tests measure … which tends to be school smarts.

4. Who is intelligent? Remembering the definition of intelligence…

5. Conceptual Difficulties Psychologists believe that intelligence is a concept and not a “thing.” When we think of intelligence as a trait (thing) we commit to an error called reification — viewing an abstract immaterial concept as if it were a concrete thing.

6. Controversies about Intelligence Despite general agreement among psychologists about the nature of intelligence, there are two controversies that remain: 1. Is intelligence a single overall ability or several specific abilities? 2. With modern neuroscience techniques can we locate and measure intelligence within the brain?

7. Theories of Intelligence Mind Map On Bubbl.us you will create a "mind map" that shows the organization of the theories of intelligence. Remember, they all play off of each other, whether somewhat agreeing or criticising what came before them. You need to show how they are interconnected. Also make sure to show the following: 1. Names 2. Describe the theories 3. The "big thing" they came up with

8. General Intelligence Charles Spearman (1863-1945) Believed that there was a single, general factor for all mental ability…didn’t deny that some people have outstanding talents, but felt these differences shouldn’t blind us to a single general intelligence

9. General Intelligence Spearman proposed that general intelligence (g), is linked to many clusters that can be analyzed by factor analysis that create a single underlying aspect of intelligence. For example, people who do well on vocabulary do well on paragraph comprehension, a cluster that helps define verbal intelligence…other general factors include spatial ability & a reasoning ability.

10. General Intelligence L. L. Thurstone, a critic of Spearman, analyzed his subjects NOT on a single scale of general intelligence, but on seven clusters of primary mental abilities including: 1. Word Fluency 2. Verbal Comprehension 3. Spatial Ability 4. Perceptual Speed 5. Numerical Ability 6. Inductive Reasoning 7. Memory

11. General Intelligence Later psychologists analyzed Thurstone’s data and a persistent tendency between these clusters (those who excelled in one area, scored well on the others), suggesting some evidence supporting a g-factor that underlies all aspects of intelligence. Think of someone you know of who is athletic. What makes them athletic? Can you define athleticism? Being “athletic” is a good analogy to having g.

12. Contemporary Intelligence Theories Howard Gardner (1983, 1999) supports Thurstone’s idea that intelligence comes in multiple forms. Gardner notes that brain damage may diminish one type of ability but not others…so there must be many facets of intelligence People with savant syndrome excel in abilities not related to general intelligence.

13. Howard Gardner Gardner believes in multiple intelligences – 9 different forms of intelligence, each relatively independent of the others It's not how smart you are, it's how you are smart! - Howard Gardner Interview, "Common Miracles" ABC 1993

14. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

15. Robert Sternberg Sternberg (1985, 1999, 2003) also agrees with Gardner, but suggests a triarchic theory with three intelligences rather than eight. “If IQ rules, it is only because we let it. And when we let it rule, we choose a bad master. We got ourselves into the test mess; we can get ourselves out of it.” 1. Analytical Intelligence: Assessed by intelligence tests. 2. Creative Intelligence: Intelligence that makes us adapt to novel situations, generating novel ideas. 3. Practical Intelligence: Intelligence required for everyday tasks (e.g. street smart).

16. Robert Sternberg Sternberg proposed seven types of people, based on combinations of his three intelligences… ● The Analyzer fares well in academic environments, but isn't likely to make a creative contribution to the field. ● The Creator generates ideas easily, but is unable to analyze these ideas or to put them into practice. ● The Practioner is persuasive and maybe entertaining, but lacks substance in thinking. ● The Analytical Creator is able to analyze created ideas, but doesn't easily communicate these ideas to others. ● The Analytical Practioner succeeds in conventional terms because high IQ is translated into practical work, but he is unlikely to make a lasting contribution. ● The Creative Practioner has the ability to come up with new ideas and can persuade other people of the value of these ideas, regardless whether those ideas are worth it or not. ● The Consummate Balancer is able to apply all of the three intelligences as needed, and is therefore in the best position to make a valuable contribution to society.

17. Emotional Intelligence Daniel Goleman ● believes emotional intelligence (EQ) – a set of skills that underlie the accurate assessment, evaluation, expression and regulation of emotions – is also important ● this aspect of intelligence underlies the ability to get along well with others and shows that while individuals may not have high traditional IQ scores, they can be extremely successful due to a high EQ because they can “read” people

18. Emotional Intelligence: Components ComponentDescription Perceive emotion Recognize emotions in faces, music and stories Understand emotion Predict emotions, how they change and blend Manage emotion Express emotions in different situations Use emotion Utilize emotions to adapt or be creative

19. Emotional Intelligence: Criticism Gardner and others criticize the idea of emotional intelligence and question whether we stretch this idea of intelligence too far when we apply it to emotions – plus it has yet to be quantified in a rigorous manner (hard to test) Also…much controversy has surrounded the teaching of EQ as many believe that this should not be “taught” by anyone other than families

20. Intelligence and Creativity Creativity is the ability to produce ideas that are both novel and valuable. It correlates somewhat with intelligence…and includes the following factors: 1. Expertise: A well developed knowledge base. 2. Imaginative Thinking: The ability to see things in novel ways. 3. Adventuresome Personality: Seeks new experiences rather than following the pack. 4. Intrinsic Motivation: Motivated to be creative from within. 5. A Creative Environment: Creativity blooms in creative and supportive environment.

21. Is Intelligence Neurologically Measurable? Recent Studies indicate some correlation (about +.40) between brain size and intelligence. As brain size decreases with age, scores on verbal intelligence also decrease. Gray matter concentration in people with high intelligence.

22. Brain Function Studies of brain functioning show that people who score high on intelligence tests perceive stimuli faster, retrieve information from memory quickly, and show faster brain response times. People with higher intelligence respond correctly faster to the above question.