Three Major Intelligence Theories

AP Psychology

What Are the Componentsof Intelligence?• Some psychologists believe that the

essence of intelligence is a single, general factor, while others believe intelligence is best described as a collection of distinct abilities

Psychometric Theories of Intelligence• g Factor – (innate)

A general ability, proposed by Spearman as the main factor underlying all intelligent mental activity

Psychometric Theories of Intelligence• Crystallized

intelligence –The knowledge a person has acquired, plus the ability to access that knowledge . Increases w/ age

• Fluid intelligence –The ability to see complex relationships and solve problems . High uses of creativity. Decreases w/age

Cognitive Theories of Intelligence• Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory • Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

• Practical Intelligence

• Ability to cope with the environment; “street smarts”

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

• Analytical Intelligence

• Ability to analyze problems and find correct answers; ability measured by most IQ tests

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

• Creative Intelligence

• Form of intelligence that helps people see new relationships among concepts; involves insight and creativity

Intelligence• Savant syndrome –

Found in individuals who have a remarkable talent even though they are mentally slow in other domains

Howard Gardner• Studied brain-damaged

individuals.• Gardner believes mental abilities

are independent of each other and cannot be accurately reflected in a single measure of intelligence.

• There are Multiple Intelligences.

Howard Gardner• 1. Linguistic intelligence• Ability to understand and use

words• Often measured on IQ tests with

reading comprehension and vocabulary tests

• Writers, poets, effective public speakers

2. Logical-mathematical intelligence• Ability to perform mathematical,

computational, or logical operations

• Often measured on IQ tests with analogies, math problems and logic problems

• Scientists, engineers, computer programmers, navigator.

3. Musical intelligence• Ability to analyze, compose, or

perform music. Ability to perceive and create patterns of rhythms and pitches.

• Musicians, singers, composers.• Wolfgang Mozart: earliest

composition was at age 5.

4. Spatial intelligence• Ability to perceive spatial

relationships and arrange objects in space.

• Sculptor, painter, expert chess player, architect

5. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence• Ability to control bodily

movements and manipulate objects skillfully.

• Athlete, dancer, craftsperson, mechanics.

6. Interpersonal intelligence• Ability to relate effectively to

others and to understand others’ moods and motives.

• Politician, effective business person/sales, clinical psychologist.

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence (self smart)• Ability to understand one’s own

feelings and behavior (self-perception).

• Essayist and philosopher.

8. Naturalist intelligence• Ability to discern patterns in

nature.• Ecologist, zoologist, botanist, and

biologists.• Ex. Charles Darwin

Gardner’s Two New Intelligences• Spiritual intelligence• Existential intelligence

M.I. Theory