Intelligence is a basic life function that helps an organism
adapt to its environment. Intelligence is the mental capacity to acquire
knowledge, reason and solve problems effectively. It is the general ability to
reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, learn quickly and learn from
experience. Intelligence is a combination of the ability to learn, pose
problems and solve problems.
Intelligence (or cognitive ability) has been defined the
American Psychological Association as the “ability to understand complex ideas,
to adapt effectively to the environment, to learn from experience, to engage in
various forms of reasoning, to overcome obstacles by taking thought(Neisser et
al 1996). Gardner defines intelligence as “the capacity to solve problems”. The
intelligence is most often correlated with the scientific and mathematical
thinking. Intelligence is often viewed as the ability to use common patterns of
thought to arrive at commonly accepted solutions to problems. “Knowledge is past; intelligence is
present”.
Degree of intelligence and IQ
Intelligence tests indicate an individual’s mental age. They
rely on knowledge and the ability to solve problems. Intelligence quotient is
the ratio between mental age and chronological age (actual age in calendar
years), multiplied by 100.
Scales of intelligence tests
It is based on three aspects like fluency (time perspective), flexibility (variety perspective) and originality (uniqueness perspective).
Scales of intelligence tests
It is based on three aspects like fluency (time perspective), flexibility (variety perspective) and originality (uniqueness perspective).
Types of intelligence
Robert Sternberg (1985) proposed the triarchic theory of three types of intelligence.
Analytical intelligence is the ability to analyse and
evaluate ideas, solve problems and make decisions.
Creative intelligence is the ability to adapt to novel
situations. It involves going beyond what is given to generate novel and
interesting ideas.
Practical intelligence is the ability to adapt to
environment. It includes all the abilities one needs to succeed in everyday
life (street smarts).
Sternberg (1986) generalized intelligence into two principal
types like operational intelligence (measurable) and real intelligence
(inquires true nature).
Howard Gardner's (1996) multiple intelligence theory
It consists of 8/9 separate forms of intelligence.
1.
Verbal/linguistic intelligence (word smart) – is
the ability to express themselves clearly and to convert their knowledge into
useful products.
2.
Logical/mathematical intelligence (number smart)
– is the ability to concentrate on mathematical problems, hypotheses and to
think logically.
3.
Spatial/visual intelligence (picture smart) –is
the ability of a person think in a three dimensional perspective or
intelligence of pictures an images.
4.
Bodily/kinaesthetic intelligence (body smart) –
is the ability to manipulate their body or a good hand – eye coordination.
5.
Musical/rhythmic intelligence (music smart) – is
the ability to appreciate the musical parameters such as pitch, melody, rhythm
or tone.
6.
Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart) – is the
ability to introspect and understand oneself in newer dimensions and to
understand their strengths and weaknesses.
7.
Interpersonal intelligence (people smart) – is
the capacity to improve the rapport and and people management skills.
8.
Naturalist intelligence (nature smart) – is the
ability to understand nature and use the gift’s nature for one’s own
development.
9.
Philosophical intelligence (existence smart) –
is the ability to explore complex philosophical questions.
Parts of intelligence
Physical intelligence (PI) – is constantly scanning body, destroying diseased cells and fighting for survival.
Emotional intelligence (EI) – is perceiving, integrating, understanding and managing emotions.
Spiritual intelligence (SI) – is the expression of innate spiritual qualities through one’s thoughts, actions and attitude.
Mental intelligence (MI) – is one’s ability to analyse, reason, think abstractly, use language, visualize and comprehend knowledge.
Intellectual activity (thinking)
It consists three activities like
conception (concept formation: a concept is a general idea), judgement (simple
sensory discrimination of positive and negative aspects) and inference
(reasoning: analysis= deduction and synthesis= induction)
Conception refers to the process
by which ideas developed. The conscious expression or formulation of the
abstraction gives to the idea or concept. Judgement is concerned with the
conscious formulation of relationships among sense objects, images or ideas.
Inference constitutes what is popularly called thinking or reasoning. It is the
process by which new facts are obtained from concepts and relationships already
apprehended. Inference represents the extension of knowledge without mediation
of perception. The process of inference may take 2 general forms, one of which
is analytic in nature, the other synthetic. In analysis, one learns to classify,
organize and evaluate the information handled. In some cases analysis is based
on deduction. Deduction works by
elimination, being a process of dividing the appropriate from inappropriate
items of intellectual knowledge.
Theory of successful intelligence
It is the ability to achieve
one’s goal in life, given one’s socio-cultural context. It is the ability of
capitalizing our strengths and compensating for our weaknesses in order to
adapt to, shape and select environment and through a combination of analytical,
creative and practical abilities. Intelligence is the engine which provides
power for accomplishment and performance. It enables us to learn and develop
talents and skills. Intelligence assists in helping to make good choices, solve
problems, build meaningful relationships, communicate and do our jobs.
Benefits of developing intelligence
It helps us to make good choices;
it empowers us to do things, the scope
and quality of what we can do; it gives us the power to solve problems; it
enables our learning; it endeavors to maintain our harmony and well being.
Inspiring quotes on intelligence
"Knowledge is having the right answer; Intelligence is asking the right question."
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." - Albert Einstein.
"Intelligence rules the world, ignorance carries the burden." -Marcus Garvey.
"Curiosity is free-wheeling intelligence." -Alistair Cooke.
"Action is the real measure of intelligence." - Napoleon Hill.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." - Albert Einstein.
"Intelligence rules the world, ignorance carries the burden." -Marcus Garvey.
"Curiosity is free-wheeling intelligence." -Alistair Cooke.
"Action is the real measure of intelligence." - Napoleon Hill.
