Week 10: Intelligence

Question 1

Intelligence

Answer 1

Intelligence: the capacity to learn from experience, using meta-cognitive processes to enhance learning, and the ability to adapt to the surrounding environment - and it may require different adaptations within different social and cultural contexts

Question 2

Theories of intelligence

Answer 2

• CHC Theory: 3 levels of intelligence: General ability (g; Stratum III), Broad Abilities (Stratum II), and Narrow Abilities (Stratum I). Of particular importance of this theory are two particular types of intelligence, fluid (g-f) and crystallised (g-c). Fluid ability is the ability to solve novel problems and Crystallised ability is how we use learned skills, knowledge and experiences. The types of intelligence and abilities proposed within the CHC model are easily measured.
• Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences: argued that there is no such thing as general intelligence and instead there are multiple intelligences. Gardner proposed 8 independent types of intelligence: Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Spatial, Bodily-kinaesthetic, Musical, Naturalist, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal. Gardner argued that each individual will have strengths and weaknesses in terms of the different types of intelligence. Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences has been criticised for separating each of the intelligence types and noting that there is no relationship or association between these. Further, cognitive intelligence theorists have argued that it does not account for a ‘central’ working memory system that they argue is necessary for intelligent behaviour as it is needed for reasoning and problem solving skills, which may be necessary for several of Gardner’s 8 intelligence types.