Information Processing Theories

Question 1

Triarchic theory - Sternberg AO1

Analytical
Contextual
Experience

Answer 1

Analytical -
Meta component - decisions based on info
Performance component - speed at which its processed
Knowledge acquisition component - working info out

Contextual -
Adapting - changing beh to aid survival
Selecting - picking environ to aid survival eg nomads
Shaping - using environ effectively eg rice terraces

Experience -
Repetition - repeating movement for efficiency
Flexibility - using existing skills and applying them

Question 2

Triarchic theory - Sternberg AO2

Cultural relativity
Carroll
Kenyan children RWA
Goltfredson

Answer 2

Cultural relativity - Brazilian street children - extremely good at maths used in every day life eg calculating change despite poor maths performance at school

Carroll- performance on tasks requiring one tended to also involve all 3 suggesting there may be one common intelligence

Kenyan children - knowledge of natural medical treatment and academic ability tested - no correlation

Goltfredson - practical int not that different from academic int - evidence claiming so is poor and claims supporting it are over exaggerated

Question 3

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence AO1

8
8 types of intelligence
2 overarching profiles

Answer 3

1. Potential for brain damage to effect this ability in isolation
2. Existence of individual with exceptional skills
3. Existence of the ability in experimental tasks
4. Measurable
5. Distinct developmental history
6. Evolutionary plausibility
7. Propensity for encoding in a symbol system
8. One identifiable core operation

8 types of intelligence - linguistic, logical mathematical, visuospatial, musical, bodily kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic

Laserlike - specific int eg Einstein
Searchlight - widespread eg Obama

Question 4

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences AO2

Project Spectrum
White
First three valid
Savants
Waterhouse

Answer 4

Project spectrum - LT project developing alt curriculum based on multiple intelligence - far more varied and gives hope to everyone BUT concerns raised about whether there was too much focus on irrelevant material

White - insufficiently clear - even Gardner admitted their subjectivity

Logical mathematical, linguistic and visuospatial - only valid / others are simply skills to be learnt

Savants - small no of those on autistic spectrum have extraordinary specific skills eg exceptional musical talent

Waterhouse - lacks adequate research and lacks scientific credibility