Definitions and theories of intelligence

• What is intelligence?

  We often think about intelligence in terms of academic pursuits and skills:

  • Knowledge
  • Learning
  • Education

  But is this the case?

  • Different theories and conceptualizations of intelligence
• Thorndike

  Let intellect be defined as that quality of mind in respect to which Aristotle, Plato, Thucydides and the like differed most from Athenian idiots of their day.
• Binet and Simon (1905)

  It seems to us that there is a fundamental faculty in intelligence, any alteration or lack of which is of the utmost importance for practical life. This is judgement, otherwise known as common sense, practical good sense, initiative, the ability to adapt oneself to circumstance. To judge well, to comprehend well, to reason well, these are the essential ingredients of intelligence.
• Terman

  The ability to carry out abstract thinking
• Gardner

  Suspend for a moment the usual judgement of what constitutes intelligence and let your thoughts run freely over the capabilities of human beings… the brilliant chess player, the world-class violinist, and the champion athlete… are the chess player, violinist and athlete ‘intelligent’ in [their] pursuits? If they are, then why do our tests of ‘intelligence’ fail to identify them? If they are not intelligent, what allows them to achieve such astounding feats?
• Sternberg

  The capacity to learn from experience and adapt to one’s environment.
• Implicit theories of intelligence (Sternberg, 1985)

  • Practical problem solving = he ability to be practical and logical with regard to the problems we face in various situations and relationships
  • Verbal ability = The ability to express yourself and converse with others confidently and with some eloquence
  • Social competence = Skills necessary to be accepted and fulfilled socially