Module 37: Introduction to Intelligence

Intelligence

the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations

General intelligence (g)

According to Charles Spearman and others, underlies all mental abilities and is therefore measured by every task on an intelligence test

factor analysis

a statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items (called factors) on a test; used to identify different dimensions of performance that underlie a person’s total score

Howard Gardner’s 8 Intelligences

1. Linguistic

2. Logical-mathematical

3. Musical

4. Spatial

5. Bodily-kinesthetic

6. intrapersonal

7. interpersonal

8. naturalist

   9th possible intelligence:

9. Existential intelligence = the ability “to ponder large questions about life, death, existence”

Savant syndrome

a condition in which a person otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific skill, such as in computation or drawing

Robert Sternberg’s 3 Intelligences

1. Analytical (academic problem-solving) intelligence = is assessed by intelligence tests, which presently well-defined problems having a single right answer. Such tests predict school grades reasonably well and vocational success more modestly

2. Creative intelligence = is demonstrated in innovative smarts; the ability to adapt to new situations and generate novel ideas

3. Practical intelligence = is required for everyday tasks that may be poorly defined and may have multiple solutions

Criticisms of Multiple Intelligences

1. Research using factor analysis confirms that there is a general intelligence: g matters

2. It predicts performance on various complex tasks and in various jobs

3. And extremely high cognitive ability scores predict exceptional achievements, such as doctoral degrees and publications

Grit

in psychology, grit is passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals

Emotional intelligence

the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions

4 components of emotional intelligence

1. Perceiving emotions = recognizing emotions in faces, music, and stories, and identifying one’s own emotions

2. Understanding emotions = predicting emotions and how emotions may change and blend

3. Managing emotions = knowing how to express emotions in varied situations, and how to manage others’ emotions

4. Using emotions = to facilitate adaptive or creative thinking