Intelligence Flashcards
Intelligence is…
multi-faceted and culturally defined
Define intelligence
The application of cognitive skills and knowledge to learn, solve problems, and achieve goals that are valued by an individual or culture.
Who theorised there were multiple types of intelligence?
Howard Gardener
What types of intelligence’s did Gardener theorise there were in 1983? (8)
Linguistic
Logical-mathematical
Musical
Spatial
Bodily-kinaesthetic
Naturalistic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Define linguistic intelligence
ability to perceive and generate spoken or written language e.g. debating
Define logical-mathematical intelligence
ability to appreciate and use numerical, abstract, and logical reasoning to solve problems e.g. acocunting
Define musical intelligence
ability to create, communicate and understand meaning made with sound e.g. playing or composing music
Define spatial intelligence
ability to perceive, modify, transform and create visual or spatial images e.g. architecture, puzzling
Define bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence
ability to use all or part of one’s body to solve problems or make somthing e.g. craftspeople, dancers
Define naturalistic intelligence
ability to recognise and classify objects in the natural environment e.g. biologist
Define interpersonal intelligence
ability to recognise, appreciate and dispute feelings, beliefs and intentions of other people e.g. leaders
Define intrapersonal intelligence
ability to understand onself - emotions, desires, strengths, weaknesses e.g. self-aware people
Define emotional intelligence
The ability to understand the emotions of yourself and others, show empathy, understand social relationships and cues, and regulate your own emotions and respond in culturally appropriate ways.
What does the emotional intelligence model suggest?
that emotions are valuable sources of information that can help people operate in a social context.
What do some say about emotional intelligence?
People with high emotional intelligence typically have well-developed social skills. Some researchers argue that emotional intelligence is a better predictor of success than traditional intelligence.
What is the information processing theory?
The information-processing (or cognitive) theory of intelligence tries to understand the processes that underlie intelligent behaviour. It looks at the ‘how’ of intelligence.
How does the information processing theory define intelligence?
It defines intelligence as a process rather than a measurable quantity and suggests that individual differences in intelligence reflect differences in the cognitive operations people use in thinking.
What three variables of particular importance in explaining individual differences seen on intelligence test have researchers focused on?
Speed of processing
Knowledge base
Ability to acquire and apply cognitive strategies
Explain speed of processing
We commonly use the adjective slow to describe people who perform poorly in school or on similar tasks, and describe more skilled performers as quick. In fact, processing speed is an important aspect of intelligence and a strong correlate of IQ.
Supporting the view of ‘mental quickness’ as a component of intelligence, response time in tasks such as this correlates with measures of academic achievement.
Explain knowledge base
Variation among individuals in intellectual functioning also reflects variation in their knowledge base — the information stored in long-term memory. Differences in knowledge base include the amount of knowledge, the way it is organised, and its accessibility for retrieval
Explain ability to acquire and apply cognitive strategies
The ability to acquire mental strategies (ways of solving problems) and apply them to new situations is also involved in intelligence. Cognitive strategies are essential for many everyday tasks, from remembering grocery lists to calculating a 15% public holiday surcharge to a bill.
What is an advantage of information processing theory?
it can be tested under controlled experimental conditions and can provide empirical support
What is the downside to information processing theory
it is less focused than other contextual theories on understanding the influence of culture on intelligence