| For centuries, people have been trying to define | | | | 4) memory; |
| intelligence. However, a universally agreed upon | | | | 5) speed of perception; |
| definition proves to be elusive so far. To some, | | | | 6) reasoning skills; |
| intelligence is the ability to acquire new information and | | | | 7) spatial visualization (2). |
| to adjust to new circumstances, while others regard | | | | Multiple intelligences |
| the skills to solve complex problems as more | | | | Similar to Thurstone's theory is that of Harvard |
| important. Thus, many contrasting theories have | | | | psychologist Howard Gardner. In 1983, he proposed the |
| emerged. The four theories with the largest number of | | | | existence of multiple intelligences, which are |
| followers are the theory of general intelligence, the | | | | independent from each other. According to him, |
| theory of primary mental abilities, the multiple | | | | everybody possesses a certain combination of the |
| intelligences theory, and the triarchic theory of | | | | following: |
| intelligence. | | | | 1) Linguistic intelligence; |
| General intelligence | | | | 2) Logical-mathematical intelligence; |
| The oldest theory is that of British psychologist Charles | | | | 3) Spatial intelligence; |
| Spearman, who, at the beginning of the 20th century, | | | | 4) Musical intelligence; |
| proposed the existence of general intelligence. He | | | | 5) Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence; |
| observed that people's scores on different IQ tests | | | | 6) Interpersonal intelligence; |
| tend to correlate. In other words, somebody who | | | | 7) Intrapersonal intelligence (3). |
| received a high score on one IQ test usually scored | | | | The Triarchic theory of intelligence |
| high on all other IQ tests, and vice versa. Therefore, he | | | | Finally, there is the Triarchic (three-part) theory of |
| concluded that intelligence tests all measure one | | | | intelligence by R. Sternberg. According to him, there are |
| common factor, which he called general intelligence or | | | | three different types of intelligence. The first one is |
| "g". In addition to that, Spearman argued that each test | | | | analytic intelligence, which is the ability to reason. It |
| also measures some specific ability, which he termed | | | | resembles the notion of general intelligence. The other |
| "s" - vocabulary knowledge or mathematical skills, for | | | | component of intelligence, as defined by Sternberg, is |
| example. However, what was of real importance to | | | | creative intelligence or the ability to draw upon previous |
| Spearman was general intelligence, which he believed | | | | experience in order to solve new problems. The last |
| to be the basis of all intellectual activities. | | | | part of intelligence, Sternberg argues, is practical |
| Crystallized and fluid intelligence | | | | intelligence, which reflects one's ability to deal with |
| A similar theory by R. Cattell and J. Horn argues that | | | | everyday situations (4). |
| there are two types of intelligence - fluid intelligence | | | | In conclusion, no unified theory of intelligence has been |
| (gf) and crystallized intelligence (gc). Fluid intelligence is | | | | proposed yet. Until that happens, the debates on what |
| one's biological ability to reason and acquire new | | | | intelligence really is are bound to continue. |
| information. On the other hand, crystallized intelligence | | | | References: |
| is the set of specific knowledge and abilities that an | | | | 1. Jensen, Arthur R. Straight Talk About Mental Tests. |
| individual has acquired by learning and experience | | | | New York: The Free Press, 1981. 62-63. |
| throughout his life (1). | | | | 2. Intelligence. Encarta Reference Library 2003. |
| Primary mental abilities | | | | Microsoft Corporation, 2002. |
| In 1938 American psychologist L. Thurstone suggested, | | | | 3. Armstrong, Thomas. 7 kinds of smart: identifying and |
| that intelligence is composed of seven independent | | | | developing your multiple intelligences. New York: Plume, |
| factors, which he called primary mental abilities: | | | | 1999. |
| 1) verbal comprehension; | | | | 4. Sternberg, Robert J. How practical and creative |
| 2) verbal fluency; | | | | intelligence determines success in life. New York: |
| 3) mathematical ability; | | | | Simon and Schuster, 1996. |