NHF COLLEGE OF NURSING , MYSURU

PSYCHOLOGY
UNIT – VI
COGNITIVE PROCESS
Intelligence
 Introduction
• Intelligence is most often studied in humans.
• Intelligence in machines is called artificial intelligence which is
commonly implemented in computer using programs. It means
to comprehend or pursue something.
 Meanings
• Intelligence is an ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. It
is the aggregate or global capacity individual to think of the
rationally, to act purposefully and deal effectively with the
environment.
• It is an innate mental ability which is influenced by environment.
Intelligence helps to adapt new or change the situations quickly and
correctly.
• It is an ability to carry out higher cognitive functions like reasoning,
judgment and rationalization.
• It is a capacity to understand the situation and solve the problems
and difficult tasks.
 Definition
• Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the individual
to think rationally, to act purposefully and to deal effectively
with the environment -Wechsler 1994

• Intelligence is the ability to master the knowledge or skills

needed to succeed within a particular culture. -Lolurto 1991
 Nature of Intelligence
• It is an innate mental ability which grows and is influenced by
the environment.
• It shows the capacity to adapt to new or changed situations
quickly and correctly.
• It is the ability to carry on higher mental processes such as
reasoning, criticism, rational and judgment.
• It shows the capacity to observe the relationship and absurdities.
• It implies the capacity to learn and solve difficult tasks and
problems.
 Types of intelligence
• Intelligence is divided into three kinds.
1. Concrete intelligence
2. Social or emotional intelligence
3. Abstract or general intelligence
 [Link] intelligence:

• This type of intelligence is applicable for using machines, tools

and instruments.
• Ex. Mechanics, engineers are concrete intelligent
 2. Social intelligence:

• It is the ability to understand social situations and act wisely in

human relationship.
• Socially intelligent people know the art of winning friends
and influence them.
• Ex. Leaders, ministers, salesmen, and diplomats are socially
intelligent
 3. Abstract and general intelligence

• It is the ability to respond to words, numbers and letters etc.

• This type of intelligence is required from study of books
literature.
Ex. Teachers, lawyers, doctors and philosophers
 Emotional intelligence
• First called social intelligence.
• The ability to perceive, express, understand, and regulate
emotions.
• Some studies show EQ to be a greater predictor for future
success than IQ.
• It is basis of the empathy for others, self awareness , and social
skills. e.g. eye contact, flexibility and cooperation
• It helps in building the therapeutic relationship with patient
 Intelligence quotient (IQ)
• The abbreviation "IQ" was coined by the psychologist William
Stern.
• The idea of intelligence quotient was utilized first in 1916 by
Binnet and Simon test.
• Binnet and Simon used mental age to distinguish “bright” from
“dull” children.
• IQ is the ratio between the mental age and chronological age.
• Chronological age is calculated from birth itself. Mental age is
calculated by standardized intelligence scale
 Intelligence quotient (IQ)
IQ = MA/CA x 100
For example:
IQ- Intelligence quotient 1.15-year-old girl scores a mental age
MA- Mental age of 20.
IQ = 20/15 x 100 = 133
CA- Chronological age 2. A 6 years old boy with the mental
age of 4.
IQ = 4/6 x 100 = 66.6
Classification of individual according to IQ
• The children those
perform more than
average of their age
have IQ more than
100.
• And those perform
less than average of
their age have IQ less
than 100
• There are wide individual differences among individuals with
regard to intelligence.
• No two monozygotic twins have indiviaut same level of
intelligence

•
Gardner's Multiple Intelligence
 Gardner's Multiple Intelligence
• According to Howard Gardner, there are eight major kinds of
intelligence:
[Link] intelligence: It is a form of intelligence that skills in tasks
involving music
E.g- The ability to create songs or raps about HIV awareness concepts
[Link]-kinesthetic intelligence: Human being skills in using whole body
or various portions of it in the solution of problems or in the
construction of products.
E.g- An ability to creating actions with good coordination of his or her
hands which means skilled at sports and dancing
3. Logical mathematical intelligence: It is a special skill in
problem solving and scientific thinking,
For example: It is an ability to think rationally and detect
innovative ways to win the chess game
[Link] intelligence: Skills involving spatial configurations used.
For example: It is an ability to interpret charts, pictures and
graphs in well manner like Artist, Architects
5. Interpersonal intelligence: Skills in human interactions like
temperament, sensitivity, motivations and intentions.
For example: The ability to understand others easily and
communicate effectively to address others problem.
6. Linguistic intelligence: It is a skill used in production and use of
language. Linguistic intelligence helps the individual become
public speakers, good spellers, writers and literature.
For example: literature.
[Link] intelligence: It is a knowledge of the internal
aspect of oneself; access to once own emotions and feelings.
For example: Ability to understand something instinctively
[Link] intelligence: It is an ability to identify and classify
patterns in nature.
For example: Some people are interested in maths subject.
 Uses of Intelligence
• It helps the individual to adjust to changing situations quickly and
correctly
• It helps to promote higher cognitive process like reasoning,
judging and criticizing.
• It helps individuals to improve performance in any situation.
• It helps in quick understanding of things.
• It helps to learn difficult task and solve problems.
• It helps send usual to apply the knowledge improved in various
situations in dealing with current situations
FACTORS INFLUENCING INTELLIGENCE
 FACTORS INFLUENCING INTELLIGENCE

 Heredity and environment

 Age

 Health and physical development

 Culture

 Social and economic conditions

 THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE
• Attempts from psychologists in analyzing Components
of intelligence have resulted in the development of
various theories.
• Some of the common theories relating to intelligence
are:
Factor theories of intelligence
Process-oriented theories of intelligence
 1. Factor Theories of Intelligence
A. Two-factor theory or general intelligence (G-Factor)
theory
B. Group factor or multifactor theory
 A. Two-factor theory or general intelligence (G-Factor)
theory
• It was advocated by Charles Spearman (1927), a British
psychologist
• Spearman proposed the involvement of a broad general
intelligence factor (G) in every intellectual activity an individual
undertakes.
• Every individual possesses general intelligence factor (G) in
varying amounts.
• This determines the individual's overall ability. 'G' is a universal
inborn ability. Higher the '"G' in an individual greater is the
success in life
• In addition to the G-factor there are specific abilities which
allow an individual to deal with specific kind of problems.
• Specific intelligence factor (S)is learned and acquired from the
environment and varies from activity to activity even in the
same individual.
• Examples of these specific abilities can be language ability,
mathematical ability, musical or drawing skills and so on.
• These specific abilities may be represented as S1, S2, S3, etc.
• Thus, an individual's total ability or intelligence (A) is the sum
of the general factor and all his specific abilities.
• This can be expressed as:
A = G+S1 + S2 + S3+ ………………………..
 G Factor vs. S Factor
G factor S factor
It is Universal inborn ability Learned and acquired from
environment.

It is General mental ability These are specific abilities.

It is constant in one individual. It varies from activity to activity in same
individual.

G factor differs from individual to Individuals differs in the amount of S

individual. ability

Used in every activity of life.

 B. Group factor or multifactor theory:
• This theory was expounded by LL Thurstone in 1938.
• Thurstone explained that certain mental operations have a
common primary factor which gives them psychological and
functional unity and also differentiates them from other
mental operations.
• These mental operations constitute a group factor. There are
many groups of mental abilities with each group having its own
primary factor.
Thurstone have identified seven such factors. They are:
1. Verbal factor (V): Comprehension of verbal ideas or words.
2. Spatial factor (S): Ability to imagine an object
3. Numerical factor (N): Ability to perform mathematical
calculations rapidly and accurately
4. Memory factor (M): Ability to memorize quickly
[Link] factor (R): Ability to reason and think things out.
[Link] factor (P): Ability to perceive objects accurately
7. Problem-solving factor (PS): Ability to solve problems
independently.
 2. Process-oriented Theories of Intelligence
• These theories have focused on intellectual processes-the
pattern of thinking that people use when they reason and solve
problems.
• They are more often interested in how people solve problems
and how many get the right solution
• They have focused on the development of cognitive abilities.
Piaget's work is a significant contribution in this area.
 Process-oriented Theories of Intelligence
[Link]'s theory (Jean Piaget, 1970):
[Link]'s theory (Jerome Bruner, 1973):
 Piaget's theory (Jean Piaget, 1970):

• According to Piaget, intelligence is an adaptive process

involving interplay of biological maturation and interaction
with the environment.
• He viewed intelligence as an evolution of cognitive processes
such as understanding the laws of nature, principles of
grammar and mathematical rules.
 Bruner's theory (Jerome Bruner, 1973):

• According to Bruner, intelligence is a growing dependence on

internal representation of objects or situations.
• These growing abilities are influenced by the environment
especially the rewards and punishments people receive for
using particular intellectual skills in particular ways
 Intelligence in Nursing
• Knowledge about intelligence and its measurement is useful in
understanding the nurse herself, her colleagues as well as
patients.
• Nurse’s guidance to the patient would be according to the
patient’s intellectual level.
• It helps in maintaining empathy but avoid emotional attachment
• With a higher level of emotional intelligence, nurses are better
able to adapt and understand the needs of their patients.
• They can also better cope with the stress emotionally and
improve their social skills.
• Knowledge about abnormalities in new born and development
of their intelligence helps the nurse in providing suitable care.
• In disease related to psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, assessment
of intelligence is of great importance in their management.