Chapter 6 – Intelligence
Intelligence – is used in attempts to evaluate and measure actual or potential ability to perform
selected tasks by complex learning and thinking.
Theories of Intelligence
1. Alfred Binet – a French physician, who first to measure intelligence. Intelligence is a
general capacity that encompasses all mental abilities.
2. Charles E. Spearman - Factor’s Analysis based on the assumption that there are mental
abilities that seem to be relatively independent of one another.
2.1 Intelligence factor – present in every individual but in diff. amounts. (inborn not
learned)
2.2 Specific factors – certain abilities (learned in social environment)
3. Louis Thurstone - Intelligence could be broken down into a number of primary abilities.
3.1 Verbal comprehension – understand meaning of words.
3.2 Word fluency – think of words rapidly
3.3 Numerical – work with numbers
3.4 Space – visualize space – form relationships
3.5 Memory – recall verbal stimuli
3.6 Perceptual speed – grasp details quickly
3.7 Reasoning – find general rule on the basis of presented circumstance
4. Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic theory of intelligence
Three factors:
4.1 Componential intelligence – analytical thinking, abstract reasoning and measured in
intelligence tests.
4.2 Experiential intelligence – insightful and creative thinking
4.3 Contextual intelligence – practical know-how
5. Raymond B. Cattell
5.1 Fluid Intelligence
5.2 Crystallized Intelligence
Intelligence Quotient – is a single score which indicates the individual’s general intellectual level.
IQ = MA (Mental Age) x 100
CA (Chronological Age)
Aptitude – capacity for learning certain abilities.
When IQ declines the possible causes are:
• Chronic illness
• Drinking problems
Wechsler Tests
These tests, developed and standardized under the direction of Dr. David Wechsler of Bellevue
Psychiatric Hospital, began with a scale designed to test the intelligence of adults.
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS III) 16 to adulthood
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) 7 to 15 y/o
Wechsler Pre-School and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) 3 to 6 y/o
IQ Score Description
140+ Genius
130 – 140 Very superior
120 – 130 Superior
110 – 120 High average
90 – 110 Normal or average
80 – 90 Low average
70 – 80 Borderline defective
50 – 70 Mild mental retardation
25 – 50 Moderate mental retardation
Below 25 Severe mental retardation
Mental Retardation – is a general term used to refer to hundreds of conditions that share
common symptoms of subnormal intellectual functioning and impaired adaptive behavior that
seem to originate during the developmental period of the individual.
Causes of Mental Retardation
1. Phenylketonuria – genetic disorder characterized by mutation in the gene.
2. Chromosomal aberration
o Down syndrome – flaws from parent’s egg or sperm cells
o Fragile X syndrome – sex linked w/c affect boys 1 out of 1200.
3. Infection, radiation or toxic substances during prenatal period
4. Prenatal factors such as head injury or oxygen deprivation resulting in
o Microcephaly – skull fails to grow
o Hydrocephaly – buildup of cerebrospinal fluid which damages and enlarges brain
5. Poor nutrition
Giftedness – those children who possess an untrained and spontaneously expressed
natural ability in at least one ability significantly beyond that typically seen in children of
the same age.
Signs of giftedness
1. Tendency to seek out and identify w. other children and adults
2. Ability to absorb info. Rapidly
3. Early fascination with explanations and problem solving
4. Talking complete sentence as early as 2-3 yrs. of age
5. Unusually good memory
6. Talent in art, music or number skills
7. Early interest in books
8. Showing kindness, understanding and cooperation to others.
Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple intelligence
✓ Linguistic intelligence
✓ Logical – mathematical intelligence
✓ Musical intelligence
✓ Bodily – kinesthetic intelligence
✓ Spatial intelligence
✓ Interpersonal intelligence
✓ Intrapersonal intelligence
✓ Naturalist
✓ Existential
Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence believes that success in life is a function
not only of one’s IQ but of his EQ.
Emotional Intelligence refers to ability such as being able to:
1. Motivate oneself and to persist in facing frustrations;
2. Control impulse and delay gratification
3. Regulate one’s mood and keep the stress from swamping the ability to think, to
communicate well; and
4. Empathize and hope
Five components of emotional intelligence according to Dr. Goleman are: self – awareness,
managing moods, motivation, empathy, and social skill.
