Intelligence and its theories

Psychometric, information-processing and multiple-intelligence theories.

Psychology5 questions
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The essentials

Intelligence is the global capacity to understand the world, think rationally and use available resources effectively. Alfred Binet, with Theodore Simon, developed the first formal intelligence test in France to identify children needing special help. Binet introduced mental age (MA), the level of mental functioning compared with others of the same age. William Stern proposed the intelligence quotient (IQ) = (MA ÷ CA) × 100, where CA is chronological age.

Key points

  • Uni-factor (Binet): intelligence as one general set of abilities.
  • Spearman's two-factor theory: a general factor g plus specific factors s.
  • Thurstone's primary mental abilities: seven independent abilities, such as verbal comprehension, numerical ability, spatial relations, perceptual speed, word fluency, memory and inductive reasoning.
  • Jensen: Level I (associative learning, output similar to input, such as rote memory) and Level II (cognitive competence, manipulating and transforming information).
  • Guilford's structure-of-intellect: three dimensions — operations, contents and products — giving 180 cells.
  • Gardner's multiple intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic.
  • Sternberg's triarchic theory: componential (analytical), experiential (creative) and contextual (practical) intelligence.
  • PASS model (J.P. Das, Jack Naglieri and John Kirby): Planning, Attention-arousal, Simultaneous and Successive processing; measured by the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System.

Exam tips

  • Psychometric theories (Spearman, Thurstone, Guilford) analyse test scores into factors; information-processing theories (Sternberg, PASS) describe the processes of thinking.
  • Practise IQ: a 10-year-old with MA 12 has IQ = 12 ÷ 10 × 100 = 120.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up interpersonal (understanding others) and intrapersonal (understanding oneself) intelligence.
  • Calling Sternberg's contextual intelligence "creative"; contextual means practical, street-smart intelligence.

Practice questions

Which theorist proposed that intelligence consists of a general factor and specific factors?Easy
A child aged 8 years has a mental age of 10 years. What is the child's IQ?Easy
A tribal youth easily finds his way through dense forest and can identify dozens of plant species and their uses. Which…Medium
In Sternberg's triarchic theory, a person who adapts well to everyday situations and deals effectively with real-life p…Medium
In the PASS model, which process lets a person integrate separate pieces of information into a meaningful whole, as whe…Hard
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