Intelligence
- This section will discuss the human intelligence as we develop through our lives. There are different types of intelligence as well as a fundamental difference from cognitive development.
Intelligence can be defined as the ability to adapt to ones environment. Some of the earliest theorists named Alfred Binet and his student, Theodore Simon, developed the first test to calculate intelligence among people. Their 1905 Scale helped create terms such as a person's mental age along with their chronological age. After Binet's death, another theorist named William Stern trademarked that idea of the mental quotient which was then used by Lewis Terman to create the now used Intelligence Quotient: IQ= (MA/CA)x100.
- Concepts of "g" and "s" factors
- Primary Mental Abilities
L.L. Thurstone was another intelligence researcher who decided that Spearmans theory of intelligence was wrong. He created and labeled the Primary Mental Abilities that were independent factors. These factors included: Number facilities, reasoning, memory, spacial perception, perceptual speed, verbal comprehension, and word fluency
- Divergent and Convergent Thinking
Expanding on Thurstone's work, Joy Paul Guilford created the model for the structure of intelligence. With this cubic model he created over 120 different kinds of abilities from 150 different combinations of thought. Of the 120 intellectual abilities, his test for divergent and convergent thinking were perhaps the best known. Divergent thinkers will start out with one topic and begin to connect with other related topics and information. Convergent thinkers will use other related topics and other information to use on a single topic and sum up multiple ideas.
- Problems with early Intelligence tests
- More theorists: Modern Times
- Howard Gardener theorized the concept of multiple intelligences. This idea opposed that of Spearman's "g " factor. In Gardener's theory, he came up with a list of multiple intelligences that are independent to one another and are controlled by different parts of the brain rather than stemming from a single general intelligence. His multiple intelligences are listed as: Linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
- Robert Sternberg created the Triarchic theory of intelligence. His theory focused on intelligence as being what ensures success in one's life. He derives this meaning of intelligence from our own sociocultural context. He asserts that humans have three intellectual abilities: Analytic intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence. People use these types of intelligences differently from one another and some will score higher in different areas. People with a higher analytical intelligence will do well in school and have good grades, but if they lack in practical intelligence, they might have a hard time converting their knowledge to real world situations.
- Daniel Goleman created the concept of having emotional intelligence. Having this type of intelligence requires four domains: self awareness, self management, social awareness, and relationship management. These domains could include having abilities to control anger, take the perspectives of others and turn them into yours, socialize well with other people outside of your social sphere and have the ability to solve relationship problems.
- Intelligence across the lifespan
During early years of life, infants and children early in development lack the ability to use language or other abilities that allow researchers to derive an accurate measure of intelligence. To try and move around this problem, researchers use three dimensions of infant response: attention,habituation, and dishabituation. These along with knowledge about a child's normal development help to derive a somewhat accurate IQ.
- Childhood and early adolescence
During these times, children will have developed language skills and intellectual growth will be at an all time high, slowing down during adolescence. Children will be able to answer more difficult questions and give insight on how they think and at what level. Their "g" factor is starting to stabilize and as children make the transition to adolescence, the "s" factor is developed.
- Adulthood
During this time of aging, adults will begin to lose such qualities as fluid intelligence and build upon crystalized intelligence.
- Creativity
It has been debated on whether creativity and intelligence have any connections to one another. According to E. Paul Torrace, they are. He developed the Torrace Test of Creative Thinking. He believed that IQ tests alone were not sufficient in measuring real intelligence. His test included tests dealing with divergent thinkig exercises and are scored on fluency, flexibility, originality,and elaboration.
- How this information pertains to my developmental history:
This information pertains to me in the fact that I have been exposed to tests that have gauged my intelligence in all of these areas. Tests have been given to me in school all my life that challenge my intelligence and see which areas I am best at in school. Based off of my intelligence, I have been placed in accelerated classes to help me push myself to do well in my studies.
- How this information can help me in my career:
I am not sure how this particular information could help me in my career, but it has helped me do well in choosing and doing well in the particular classes that I need to pass. My intelligence made me able to do well in accelerated classes that will prepare me for my field in the medical field.