Intelligence- Theories of intelligence | Assam TET and CTET Special Concepts

Introduction To Intelligence:

Intelligence is the mental capacities of a person which help in the process of problem solving. The word Intelligence is derived from the Latin word ‘Intelligentia’ and it means to understand. Several factors influences the intelligence like Heredity and Environment, Social interactions with people, Learning process etc. There are several theories which were proposed to described the term intelligence. Below some important theories are discussed which are important for the upcoming Assam TET, CTET and other teaching recruitment examinations. Some multiple choice questions are also discussed which are much important for recruitment examinations.

Intelligence:

General characteristics of intelligence

– The word intelligence originated from the Latin word “Intelligentia” which means to understand.

– Intelligence is adaptability to a new environment or adaptability to changes in the current environment.

– Intelligence is the capacity to acquire knowledge or ability to solve a problem.

– Intelligence is the ability to interact in the proper way.

– Intelligence is the ability to evaluate or judge.

– According to William Stern, “Intelligence is a general capacity of an individual consciously to adjust his thinking to a new requirement.”

– According to Boring, “Intelligence is what intelligence tests test.”

– According to EL Thorndike, “Intelligence is capacity for mere association or connection forming.”

Characteristics of Intelligence:

1. Intelligence is an innate ( জন্মগত) capacity.

2. It can make an easy solution to problems.

3. It helps in the learning process

4. It doesn’t depend on sex

5. It requires a proper environment and proper nutrition to develop properly.

6. Heredity has a great influence on it.

Theories of Intelligence:

1. Uni-factor Theory :

Alfred Binet, Terman and Stern were the founders of this theory. According to this theory, Intelligence is regarded as an activeness that enables a person to adjust himself to the dynamic environment. According to Binet, Intelligence is a mental ability. Terman said, Intelligence is a capacity to think properly. According to this theory a person with Intelligence can succeed in any field equally.

Important Features of Intelligence:

– It suggests that intelligence is a single and general ability which can be applied to solve all problems or tasks.

– It summarize the abilities into a single point which we can say ‘common sense’.

– Alfred Binet and Terman proposed the uni-factor theory of intelligence.

– According to this theory, intelligence is a general mental ability which helps a person to success in any

field equally.

2. Two Factor Theory:

In 1904 Charles Spearman propounded this two factor theory. According to Spearman, Intelligence consists of two factors namely General or G factor and Special or S factor. According to him G factor is innate and cannot be developed. The S factor can be acquired or it could be developed with education and experience.

3. Primary ability theory of Intelligence:

It is proposed by Louis Thurstone. According to Thurstone intelligence is not a single unit, but it consists of nine mental abilities which are called primary mental abilities. These are-
– Spatial ability
– perceptual ability
– Numerical ability
– Verbal comprehension
– Word fluency
– Memory
– Inductive ability
– Deductive ability
– Problem solving ability
According to Thurstone to solve a problem one has to have all the above abilities. But in some cases, only two or three abilities are effective.

4. Multiple Intelligence Theory:

Howard Gardner in 1983 proposed multidimensional or multiple Intelligence Theory. According to him there are seven different types of intelligence. But, in the late 1990s he added a new type of intelligence, which is called ‘naturalist intelligence’. According to Gardner different types of intelligence are –

– Linguistic:

It is the ability to speak and write a language or the ability to learn and use language. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those who have high linguistic intelligence

– Musical:

It is the ability in performance, composition and singing songs. Musicians and composers have high musical intelligence.

– Logical or Mathematical:

It’s the ability to analyze mathematical problems or logical thinking. Mathematicians are examples.

– Intrapersonal:

It is the capacity to understand oneself or to know ones own feelings or fears.

– Interpersonal:

It is the capacity to understand others feelings, intentions, motivations and desires. Educators, salesperson, political leaders, counsellors have well developed interpersonal intelligence.

– Spatial:

It is the ability to determine and use the patterns of certain fields. Artists or designers have well developed spatial intelligence.

– Bodily or Kinesthetic:

It is the ability to coordinate with mental thoughts and body movements. Athletes and sportspersons have well developed spatial intelligence.

– Naturalist:

This is the ability to identify plants or animals or other living or non living things.

5. Three Stratum Theory:

Raymond Cattell and John Horn proposed this theory in 1966. According to this intelligence theory, intelligence consists of two parts – fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.

Fluid intelligence:

It is the biological aspects of intelligence that calculate the speed and potential of reasoning or memory capacity. It increases in adulthood but decreases as person grows old

Crystallised Intelligence:

It is the expandable part of skills or mental capacity through learning and experience. As the source of new knowledge or experiences are unlimited, so it increases throughout life.

6. Triarchic Theory of Intelligence:

Robert Sternberg proposed this theory in 1985. His theory consists of three parts-

– Componential

It is related to the analytical ability which is helpful in finding a solution that others cannot do.

– Experimental:

It is related to the ability of how a task is performed.

– Practical or Contextual:

It is the ability of one’s mind of how he or she socializes with the environment.

7. Multiple Factor Theory of intelligence:

Edward Thorndike proposed multiple factor theory of intelligence. According to Thorndike the tests used to measure the intelligence must consider the following aspects –

– difficulty level of task
– multiple tasks with same difficulty
– Dissimilar situation at various difficulty level
– the speed of response to solve a task

Some Important MCQs on Intelligence:

1. Which of the following is correct about crystallised intelligence?

A. It is hereditary
B. It stops after adulthood
C. It indicates the high IQ level
D. It increases throughout life

Ans: D. It increases throughout life

2. Who introduced the concept of mental age

A. Binet Simon
B. Spearman
C. Vygotsky
D. Piaget

Ans: A. Binet Simon

3. The Uni-factor theory of intelligence was proposed by

A. Binet and Terman
B. Howard Gardner
C. Spearman
D. Robert Sternberg

Ans: A. Binet and Terman

4. In case of two factor theory of intelligence which of the following is incorrect about ‘g’ factor

A. ‘g’ factor is innate
B. ‘g’ factor cannot be developed
C. ‘g’ factor means general factor
D. ‘g’ factor can be developed by learning

Ans: D. ‘g’ factor can be developed by learning

5. Which of the following is not among the primary mental abilities proposed by Louis Thurstone in his Primary mental ability theory?

A. Word fluency
B. Inductive reasoning
C. Verbal comprehension
D. Linguistic

Ans: D. Linguistic

6. The Multiple Intelligence theory was proposed by

A. Alfred Binet
B. Spearman
C. Howard Gardner
D. Trueman

Ans: C. Howard Gardner

7. Which of the following could be an end stage of a child possessing bodily Kinesthetic intelligence?

A. Surgeon
B. Poet
C. Orator
D. Political leader

Ans: A. Surgeon

8. The ‘s’ factor in the spearman’s definition of intelligence stands for

A. Social factor
B. Special factor
C. Single factor
D. Simple factor

Ans: B. Special factor

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