This document discusses various theories and approaches to defining and measuring intelligence. It describes Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences which argues that intelligence consists of distinct skills that can vary independently. The document also discusses intelligence quotient (IQ) tests, aptitude tests, and the Stanford-Binet test as traditional methods for measuring intelligence. Finally, it presents debates around the nature vs nurture influences on intelligence and proposals that intelligence has analytical, practical, emotional, and creative facets.

1. Defining Intelligence
Jazmin Lopez
Extra Credit
11/11/2014

2. What is Intelligence?
There have been many
attempts to define the meaning
of intelligence. There are
several ways to measure and
determine intelligence.

3. What is Intelligence?
Howard Gardner proposed the theory of
multiple intelligences, which argues that
each kind of intelligence is independent of
each other and a person can do poorly in
one area but excel in another.
According to Gardner, a human intellectual competence must entail:
• Set of skills for problem solving
• Solve genuine problems or difficulties
• Create an effective product
• Potential for finding or creating problems
• Thereby laying the groundwork for the acquisition of new knowledge

4. Surprisingly, every person is similar, in
that we all need to eat, drink, think
deep thoughts, plan excursions, and
seek our goals. But, even then, we are
all different. Therefore, measuring
intelligence is broken down into tests
of intelligence, and tests of aptitude
and/or achievement.

5. Assessing Intelligence
Aptitude Test
A test designed to predict a person’s
future performance
It is the capacity to learn
Measures verbal and mathematical
abilities
Examples
ACT American college test.
SAT-Scholastic assessment test.

6. David Wechsler, considered
intelligence to be the capacity to
understand one’s world and the
resourcefulness to cope with its
challenges. It is not about how much
you know, but effectively one uses
that information.

7. The Stanford-Binet test is by far the
most influential and traditional way to
measure intelligence. It measures
judgement, comprehension, and
reasoning.

8. Robert Sternberg, proposed the Triarchic Theory,
which argues that there are three facets that make up
intelligence
1. Analytical Intelligence
2. Practical Intelligence
3. Emotional Intelligence
4. Creative Intelligence
5. Emotional Intelligence

9. The argument
Nature or Nurture?
The nature argument
All people are not born with equal potential or capacity
for intelligence.
Thus, humans are a product of their gene pool and
environment cannot increase what is created by
nature.
The nurture argument
All people, except those born mentally retarded, are
born with equal potential or capacity for intelligence.
Thus, humans are born a “blank tablet”

10. judged by what we
know and the
information we
retain. It is this
information that
shapes who we are
and our
personalities.

11. Citation
Communicating Critical Thinking by Jack
Sterk and Jim Marteney