1. THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE NICOLE TULL
PSYCHOLOGY
1
Theories of Intelligence
Ever since the question of intelligence arose, many have brought about theories that
display intelligence as a thing made up of numerous components. Because intelligence is such a
complex topic psychologists have struggled to agree upon what exactly intelligence is. One
definition describes intelligence as the underlying ability to understand the world and cope with
its challenges (citation). To better understand intelligence psychologists have developed theories.
These theories will be the topic of discussion in this assignment as I will be identifying three
important psychologists whom contributed their studies to the further understanding of
intelligence, discussing the roles they each played, and then discussing which of these theories I
feel that I identify with the most.
The first theory I will be discussing is the factor theory, which was proposed by Charles
Spearman in 1904. Spearman believed that behaviors we consider intelligent have a common
underlying factor in which he labeled “g”, for general intelligence, but he also noted that some
people are superior in certain abilities and for that reason he labeled specific abilities as “s”
(Rathus, S.A. 2012). It was in 1938 that the psychologist Louis Thurston further evaluated
Spearman’s work and concluded that Spearman had over-simplified intelligence, which led to
Thurston’s suggestion that nine specific factors detailed intelligence and labeled these as primary
mental abilities and included factors such as visual and spatial abilities, perceptual speed,
numerical abilities, verbal meaning, memory, and word fluency followed by deductive and
inductive reasoning (Rathus, 2012). It is also these nine factors that are most commonly being
tested in today’s traditional IQ tests.

2. THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE NICOLE TULL
PSYCHOLOGY
2
The next psychologist I will be discussing is Howard Gardner and his theory of multiple
intelligences. Instead of assuming that there is only one intelligence Gardner suggested that
people have multiple intelligences and believed that these intelligences differed greatly. Upon
first introducing his theory Gardner introduced 7 components of intelligence and believed that
every person has some level of each of these components. In 1997 Gardner identified one more
component bringing the updated list to eight total components of intelligence. The list
encompassed such things as musical and body-kinesthetic intelligence, which refers to a creative
sense as its examples include dancers, athletes, composers and musicians. The linguistic and
logical-mathematical intelligences are probably the most familiar factors when measuring for
intelligence through IQ testing. Linguistic abilities are detailed by highly effective
communication, both orally and written; logical-mathematical focuses on the ability to learn
higher mathematics or handling of complex logical arguments.
Naturalistic intelligence describes an ability to understand other species, recognize
patterns in nature, and classification of natural objects. Spatial intelligence entails an ability to
accomplish tasks requiring three dimensional visualization and placement of your hands or other
parts of your body, such as sailors who can navigate without navigational aids or sculptors and
surgeons (McKenzie). The last two components of Gardner’s list are interpersonal and
intrapersonal intelligences, which both refer to some sort of awareness. The intrapersonal
intelligence has the ability to know their body and mind with a great sense of self-awareness and
on the other hand interpersonal intelligence has the ability to tune their awareness into other
people and their feelings. This kind of intelligence can be seen in teachers, caretakers, religious
leaders, and sales people.

3. THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE NICOLE TULL
PSYCHOLOGY
3
The third and final psychologist I’ll be discussing is Robert Sternberg whom
proposed the triarchic theory of intelligence. Like Gardner, Sternberg also believed that people
have different components of intelligence but unlike Gardner, Sternberg believed that there were
only three components of intelligence, not eight. Instead of focusing his studies of intelligence on
the various academic disciplines Sternberg was far more concerned with helping people develop
components of intelligence that will help them to do well in whatever they choose to do (Rathus,
2012). The first intelligence in Sternberg’s theory is analytical intelligence, which is what most
people think of when discussing intelligence and is defined as the ability to achieve goals and do
well in academic settings. Second is the creative intelligence and it refers to one’s creativity and
insight. Architects, designers and theorists are great examples of creative intelligence as they
have the ability to cope with novel situations and generate many possible solutions to problems.
Last we come to practical intelligence or “street smarts” When a person displays practical
intelligence they are showing a unique ability to adapt to their environments while also being
able to utilize that adaptability to rise above and overcome particular demands of that
environment (Cherry, 2014).
All three of these theories carry valid arguments for their findings in regards to the
components of intelligence. Whether there are one, three, or eight components of intelligence
completely depends on who you are asking, but the one factor I believe we can all agree upon is
that intelligence is far more complex than we ever imagined. After researching these three
theories I began to look for similarities amongst myself and any one particular theory. The one
theory that I believe I identified with the most was Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence
theory. I have always been keenly aware of the fact that I have a variety of abilities, some
stronger than others, and that particular challenges, obstacles and tasks call for these different

4. THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE NICOLE TULL
PSYCHOLOGY
4
abilities. Of Gardner’s eight components I found that my strengths were in 3 main components;
intrapersonal intelligence, body-kinesthetic intelligence, and linguistic intelligence. I feel as if I
am very self-aware and am continually seeking knowledge and experience to better improve
myself. I exceeded in athletics and performance arts such as dance, competitive cheer, and
gymnastics. I also am confident in my linguistic abilities that I utilize through effective written
and verbal communication. As Gardner’s theory suggests, I am weaker in some abilities than
others, but I do and have utilized all of these components at one time or another in my life. Now
that I am aware of my weaknesses and strengths I believe it’s important for me to continue
exercising these intelligences and that is exactly what I plan to do.

5. THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE NICOLE TULL
PSYCHOLOGY
5
REFERENCES
Carvin, A. (2001, April 17). Dr. Howard Gardner. Retrieved July 2014, from
http://edweb.gsn.org/edref.mi.gardner.html
Cherry, K. (2014). Theories of Intelligence. Retrieved July 20, 2014, from
psychology.about.com:
www.psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/p/intelligence.htm
McKenzie, W. (n.d.). Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence. Retrieved July 20,
2014, from SurfAquarium.com: www.surfaquarium.com.mi/overveiw.htm
Rathus, S. A. (2012). PSYCH (Second ed.). (M. Staudt, Ed.) Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.