11. Theories of Intelligence 2

Explicit Theories of Intelligence

Devised by experts to elicit intelligent functioning, explicitly constructed

Implicit Theories of Intelligence

Constructs people hold implicitly, everyday ideas about what constitutes intelligence, implicit personal constructs

The Two Implicit Theories of Intelligence

1. Entity Theory: intelligence is fixed, stable quality

2. Incremental Theory: intelligence is malleable and can be changed through effort

Four reasons for implicit theories (Sternberg, 2001)

1. Important to everyday life

2. Can generate formal theories

3. Can be investigated if explicit theory is wrong

4. Can inform theoretical.psychological constructs

Sternberg et al., 1981, identified three dimensions of intelligence

1. Practical problem-solving

2. Verbal ability

3. Social competence

Sternberg, 1985, identified six aspects of intelligence

1. Practical problem-solving ability

2. Verbal ability

3. Intellectual balance and integration

4. Goal orientation and attainment

5. Contextual intelligence

6. Fluid thought

[…] cultures emphasise the individual, e.g. speed of mental processing

[Western]

[…] cultures include social and historical aspects of everyday interactions, consider family and friends

[Eastern]

[…] cultures emphasise harmonious inter group relations, may include spiritual needs and consequences for the soul

[African & Asian]

Yang and Sternberg (1997) conclusions - 4

1. General cognitive ability similar in U.S. and Taiwanese Chinese sample

2. Taiwanese conception of intelligence more akin to older adults

3. Greater emphasis on practical aspects of intelligence outside the U.S.

4. Taiwanese results nearer to broader theories of intelligence

Thurstone’s seven primary mental abilities

1. Word Fluency: ability to generate/use large under of words

2. Verbal Comprehension: ability to read and understand/comprehend verbal analogies

3. Number: ability to do maths correctly

4. Spatial Visualisation: ability to transform spatial figures mentally

5. Association/Associative Memory: ability for rote learning/memorising

6. Perceptual Speed: ability to perceive details, similarities, and anomalies in visual stimuli

7. Reasoning: ability in inductive and deductive reasoning

Fluid Intelligence (Gf) - Cattell

Capacity to reason, problem solve, multi-task and manage complex tasks. Free from cultural influences

Crystallised Intelligence (Gc) - Cattell

Knowledge acquired from experience and interaction with the world

The Structure of Intelligence (SI) Theory - Guilford

Intelligence as a combination of 150 different and independent abilities. Presented a three-dimensional structure of intelligence, three sides of a cube:

1. Content: what a person thinks about

2. Operations: the kinds of thinking required on the content

3. Products: the kinds of answers required from the operations

If you can do all three well, you are an intelligent person

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences (9)

Claimed intelligence is not a sensory system, rather a sum of processes

1. Linguistic

2. Logical-Mathematical

3. Spatial

4. Musical

5. Bodily-Kinaesthetic

6. Interpersonal

7. Intrapersonal

8. Naturalist

9. Existentialist

Sternberg’s cognitive approach to intelligence, three parts

• Creative intelligence: use of experience in ways that foster insight

• Analytic intelligence: mental steps or ‘components’ used to solve problems

• Practical intelligence: ability to read and adapt to the contexts of everyday life

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

The individual shapes the world (environment, culture, interpersonal) and the world shapes the individual.

Intelligence tests only test three levels - analytic, creative and practical - but he identified sub components that underpin intelligence

Meta components (Sternberg)

How to recognise problems, what strategy/mental resource to process and solve it, evaluate

Performance components (Sternberg)

Process actually involved in solving problems, generate solutions etc.

Knowledge-acquisition components (Sternberg)

Learn new material, exclude what is irrelevant, compile new information

Bar-On’s Model of Emotional Intelligence (5)

• Intrapersonal: self-regard, emotional self-awareness, assertiveness, independence and self-actualisation

• Interpersonal: empathy, social responsibility, interpersonal relationships

• Adaptability: reality testing, flexibility, problem solving

• Stress management: stress tolerance and impulse control

• General mood: optimism and happiness