Intelligence

The capacity of a person in matters related to problem-solving, decision making, learning capacity, emotional knowledge, planning, critical thinking and creativity is called intelligence. It can be defined as the capacity to understand data. Retaining knowledge can also be considered as intelligence. Different scientists and psychologists have different definitions. There are many of them. Intelligence was first studied in humans. It has been observed in animals and plants as well. Intelligence in computers is known as artificial intelligence. Intelligence differs from person to person. The intellectual power of humans is described as intelligence. 

Types of intelligence

There are two basic types of intelligence, emotional and social.

• Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the capacity to transfer emotion. It should be comprehensively conveyed to others. This type of intelligence helps us to read the emotions of other people. High emotional intelligence helps us to lead people’s emotions. This is important for our problem-solving skills. Emotional intelligence is crucial for our mental health. Emotional intelligence has connections to social intelligence.

• Social intelligence

Social intelligence is the capacity to understand social indications. It is different from other types of intelligence but has connections to emotional intelligence. Social intelligence has coexisted with other studies. This focuses on how we make judgments of others.

Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences 

American psychologist Howard Gardner proposed the idea of multiple forms of intelligence. He said there is no single idea of intelligence, but different, multiple independent bits of intelligence. They represent unique skills and talents for a certain category. Gardner proposed seven bits of intelligence. They are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal, and he has since added naturalist intelligence. He claimed that most activities would require a combination of these multiple intelligences. These multiple intelligences are crucial for understanding concepts such as creativity and leadership.

Spearman’s general intelligence (g)

General intelligence, also known as the g factor, mentions a general mental capacity test. According to Spearman, intelligence comprises multiple basic skills. This covers skills like verbal, spatial, numerical and mechanical. An English psychologist, Charles Spearman, proposed the two-factor theory of intelligence. He successfully made this theory using the technique called factor analysis. Factor analysis is a process through which the corresponding related variables are solved to find a fundamental factor that explains this correlation. He found out that those who did good in one skill of intelligence tests also did well in other skill tests. This relationship was compared with a central factor. This factor was called general intelligence (g).

Thurstone’s Primary mental abilities

Thurstone analysed and improved the concept of the general factor. He stated several primary mental abilities, including intelligence, opposing the general factor.

There are seven primary mental abilities in Thurstone’s mode. These include verbal comprehension, verbal fluency, number facility, spatial visualisation, perceptual speed, memory, and inductive reasoning.

1. Associative memory: The capacity to memorise and recall

2. Numerical capacity: The capacity to solve mathematical and critical problems

3. Perceptual speed: The capacity to see and find patterns. This can see differences and similarities among various objects.

4. Reasoning: The capacity to find patterns and rules

5. Spatial visualisation: The capacity to visualise relationships

6. Verbal comprehension: The capacity to define and understand words

7. Word fluency: The capacity to produce words rapidly

Thurstone did not decline Spearman’s idea of general intelligence. He updated that intelligence comprises both general capacity and several special abilities. This paved the way for further research that studied the different forms of intelligence.

Triarchic theory of intelligence

Robert Sternberg derived a three-category theory of intelligence. These components were not there in Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. This theory is established on the definition of intelligence as the capacity to achieve success based on your abilities. 

The Triarchic theory proposed that intelligence has three aspects. The three aspects are analytical, creative, and practical.

Analytical intelligence is also called componential intelligence. This mentions intelligence applied to analyse, solve, and evaluate problems. It is helpful for finding effective solutions. A traditional IQ test measure with this process.

Creative intelligence is the capacity to go beyond computational thinking. This creates interesting ideas. This type of intelligence comprises imagination, innovation and problem-solving. 

Practical intelligence finds the best fit between the supply and demand of nature. Adapting to the demand and supply of the environment involves using knowledge gained from experience to change. To adapt to the environment. To shape the environment that is suitable for us. Select a new environment that will work the best for us.

Conclusion 

A person’s capacity for problem-solving, decision making, learning capacity, emotional knowledge, planning, critical thinking, and creativity is called intelligence. It can be defined as the capacity to understand data. There are two basic types of intelligence, emotional and social. Emotional intelligence is the capacity to transfer emotion. Social intelligence is the capacity to understand social indications. Many scientists have proposed their theories for intelligence. Some of them are Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences,  Spearman’s general intelligence theory, Thurstone’s Primary mental abilities, etc. Intelligence is a broad topic. This can never be justified in one line or one definition. This is an interesting topic that leads to different possibilities. Research and development are still going on this subject. And there is more information to come our way. Not a single person on the planet knows all about the subject of intelligence. We are still far away from reaching that point.