A typical dictionary definition of intelligence is “the capacity
to acquire and apply knowledge.” Intelligence includes the ability to benefit from
past experience, act purposefully, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.
Intelligence can also be defined as “the ability that intelligence tests measure.”
There is a long history of disagreement about what actually constitutes
intelligence.
The G Factor
Charles Spearman proposed a general intelligence
factor, g, which underlies all intelligent behavior. Many
scientists still believe in a general intelligence factor that underlies the
specific abilities that intelligence tests measure. Other scientists are
skeptical, because people can score high on one specific ability but show
weakness in others.
Eight Types of Intelligence
In the 1980s and 1990s, psychologist Howard Gardner proposed the idea of not one kind of intelligence but eight, which are
relatively independent of one another. These eight types of intelligence
are:
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Linguistic: spoken and written language skills
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Logical–mathematical: number skills
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Musical: performance or composition skills
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Spatial: ability to evaluate and analyze the visual world
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Bodily-kinesthetic: dance or athletic abilities
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Interpersonal: skill in understanding and relating to others
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Intrapersonal: skill in understanding the self
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Nature: skill in understanding the natural world
Gardner believes that each of these domains of intelligence has inherent
value but that culture and context may cause some domains to be emphasized over
others. Critics of the idea of multiple intelligences maintain that these
abilities are talents rather than kinds of intelligence.
Triarchic Theory of Intelligence
Also in the 1980s and 1990s, Robert Sternberg proposed a
triarchic theory of intelligence that distinguishes among
three aspects of intelligence:
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Componential intelligence: the ability assessed by
intelligence tests
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Experiential intelligence: the ability to adapt to new
situations and produce new ideas
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Contextual intelligence: the ability to function
effectively in daily situations
Emotional Intelligence
Some researchers distinguish emotional intelligence as an
ability that helps people to perceive, express, understand, and regulate
emotions. Other researchers maintain that this ability is a collection of
personality traits such as empathy and extroversion, rather than a kind of
intelligence.
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