9.2 | Understanding Intelligence

Question 1

Savant

Answer 1

• savant: an individual with low mental capacity in most domains but extraordinary abilities in other specific areas such as mathematics, music, and art

Question 2

Factor Analysis

Answer 2

• factor analysis: a statistical technique that examines correlations between variables to find clusters of related variables, or “factors”
• e.g. scores on tests of vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning correlate highly together; these would form a “language ability” factor
• e.g. scores on algebra, geometry, and calculus questions correlate highly together; these would form a “math ability” factor

Question 3

Spearman’s General Intelligence

Answer 3

• Spearman hypothesized the existence of a general intelligence factor (abbreviated as “g”)
• believed that “g” represented a person’s “mental energy”
• people with higher “g” scores reflected better job performance, how efficiently we conduct impulses among nerve fibers and across synapses, and for more efficient processing overall

Question 4

Two-Factor Intelligence Theory

Answer 4

• Spearman hypothesized a second kind of ability that was specific to each task (i.e., each item on a test)
• he chose the inspired name “ s” to represent this specific-level, skill-based intelligence

Question 5

Primary Mental Theory

Answer 5

Louis Thurstone argued that instead of g, intelligence is measured by seven primary mental abilities

• word fluency (which is the person’s ability to produce language fluently)
• verbal comprehension
• numeric abilities
• spatial visualization
• memory
• perceptual speed
• and reasoning

Question 6

Hierarchical Model of Intelligence

Answer 6

• combined Spearman’s and Thurstone’s theories together
• g covered intelligence as a whole which breaks down into different sub categories (primary mental theory), which then breaks down into specific instances and applications (“s”)

Question 7

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Answer 7

• triarchic theory of intelligence: a theory that divides intelligence into three distinct types, analytical, practical, and creative
• analytical intelligence referred to book smarts, the ability to reason logically through a problem and to find solutions
• practical intelligence refers to street smarts, the ability to find solutions to real-world problems that are encountered in daily life
• creative intelligence refers to the ability to create new ideas and generate novel solutions to problems

Question 8

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Answer 8

• multiple intelligences: a model claiming that their are eight (updated to nine) different forms of intelligence, each independent from the others
• very difficult to research as some factors cannot be reliably and accurately measured

Question 9

Battle of Sexes

Answer 9

• no real differences in IQ between the sexes
• males had more variety i.e. some were at the highest in terms of IQ while others were at the lowest
• males were better visuospatial abilities
• females were better at verbal abilities, memory tasks, and the ability to read basic emotions