Thinking Smart: Understanding Intelligence
By Selyana Novianawaty
Psychologists have been trying to
figure out what intelligence is for a long time. Plenty of examples of a lack
of intelligence exist. Just take a look at those goofy home-video shows, with
scenes with the guy who forgets to turn the electricity off before trying to
rewire a room. Or the woman who tries to feed a polar bear and almost becomes
dinner. Maybe we are entertained by this misfortune of others caught on
videotape because these people couldn't have been any less intelligent.
Another, more controversial, possibility is that we feel giddy because we did
not suffer their fate.
We all differ in our abilities to
solve problems, learn, think logically, use language well, understand and
acquire concepts, deal with abstractions, integrate ideas, attain goals, and so
on. This impressive list of abilities represents some of the ideas of what
intelligence actually is, these things are intelligence.
For a more concrete
definition, intelligence is a collection of abilities that
allows a person to experience, learn, think, and adapt successfully to the
world. Such a broad definition allows for such concepts as street smarts,
something many psychotherapy patients claim that therapists don't have.
Two-factor theory
Oh, if only it were that simple.
Ever since psychologists started studying intelligence, they've relied heavily
on psychological tests for their concepts. The first and still most popular
form of intelligence is called the two-factor theory. In it,
there are (surprise) two factors:
·
g-factor: Some
psychologist comes up with a test of mental abilities and administers it to
many people. When a score is calculated and averaged across abilities, a
general intelligence factor is established. This is factor one of the
two-factor theory, commonly referred to as the g-factor, or
thegeneral intelligence factor. It is meant to represent how generally
intelligent you are based on your performance on this type of intelligence
test. This is often called the psychometric theory of
intelligence. Psycho means psychological, and metric means
measured by a test.
·
s-factor: The
individual scores on each of the individual subtests represent the s-factor. It
represents a person's ability within one particular area. Put all the s-factors
together, and you get the g-factor. Commonly measured s-factors of intelligence
include memory, attention and concentration, verbal comprehension, vocabulary,
spatial skills, and abstract reasoning.
So, intelligence in the psychometric
theory is your score on an intelligence test. How can this be? Each test is
made up of a group of little tests or subtests. Typically, people who score
high on one test also will do well on the other tests. In other words, there is
a relationship between each of the individual abilities measured by the
subtests represented by the general intelligence concept that underlies that
relationship.
Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence
Cognitive psychologist Robert Sternberg developed
the triarchic theory of intelligence in part to address the
street smarts controversy. An urban myth claims that Albert Einstein was
extremely intelligent and gifted in mathematics and physics, but he couldn't
even tie his own shoes. Sternberg seems to agree that an important aspect of
being intelligent is to possess a good level of common sense or practical
intelligence.
The three intelligence components of his theory are as
follows:
·
Componential: Componential
intelligence is basically the same factors measured by traditional
intelligence tests (memory, verbal fluency, and so on). This is the "book
smarts" aspect of intelligence. Sternberg emphasized that these abilities
are often disconnected from ordinary life, issues, and problems. Einstein
seemed to have possessed this component.
·
Experiential: Experiential
intelligence encompasses the ability to deal with two different types
of problems: new problems and routine problems. It requires the ability to
recognize new problems, as opposed to everyday problems; search for and
generate solutions; and implement the solutions.
·
Contextual: Sternberg's
last component is a type of practical intelligence that allows people to go
about their daily lives without walking in front of cars, telling police
officers to get lost, or letting the trash pile up to the ceiling. This is the
"street smarts" aspect of intelligence that psychologists seem to
lack, according to many people.
Multiple intelligences
Have you ever wondered what made Michael Jordan such a
good basketball player? What about Mozart? He wrote entire operas in one
sitting without editing. That's pretty impressive! According to psychologist
and educator Howard Gardener, each of these men possessed a specific-type of
intelligence that is not usually considered intelligence at all. They are
usually considered talents.
Gardener generated a theory known as multiple
intelligences from observing extremely talented and gifted people. He
came up with seven types of intelligence that are typically left out of most
people's ideas of what intelligence actually is:
·
Bodily-kinesthetic ability: Michael Jordan seems to possess a lot of this
ability. People high in bodily-kinesthetic ability have superior hand-eye
coordination, a great sense of balance, and a keen understanding of and control
over their bodies while engaged in physical activities.
·
Musical ability: If you
can tap your foot and clap your hands in unison, then you have a little musical
intelligence, just a little. People high in musical intelligence possess the
natural ability to read, write, and play music exceptionally well.
·
Spatial ability: Have
you ever gotten lost in your own backyard? If so, you probably don't have a
very high level of spatial intelligence. This intelligence involves the ability
to navigate and move around in space and to the ability to picture
three-dimensional scenes in your mind.
·
Linguistic ability: This is the traditional ability to read, write, and speak well.
Articulate, well-spoken people, along with poets, writers, and gifted speakers,
are high in this ability.
·
Logical-mathematical ability: This intelligence includes basic and complex
mathematical problem-solving ability.
·
Interpersonal ability: The gift of gab and the used-car salesperson act are good examples of
interpersonal intelligence. A "people person" who has good
conversational skills and knows how to interact and relate well with others is
high in interpersonal ability.
·
Intrapersonal ability: How well do you know yourself? Intrapersonal intelligence involves
the ability to understand your motives, emotions, and other aspects of your
personality.
Anyone can have varying degrees of
Gardener's intelligences. You may be one heck of a baseball-playing, singing,
math wiz, but you may get lost in your own backyard, be unable carry on a
conversation, and may be unable to figure out why you just did that really
silly thing.
You will change the world if you want. Changes your
mind before you changes your world... ok.. J be a smart thinkers ya...
