ROBERT STERNBERG'S THEORY OF INTELLIGENCE COMPONENTIAL EXPERIENTIAL CONTEXTUAL

1. TRIARCHIC THEORY OF
INTELLIGENCE
BY
ROBERT STERNBERG

2. JEAN PIAGET (1896-1980)
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT FROM BIRTH TO
ADOLESCENCE
Cognitive Development
Children actively construct
their understanding of the
world.
As children grow ,
additional information is
acquired and they adapt
their thinking to include
new ideas, as this improves
their understanding of the
world.

4. TRIARCHIC THEORY OF INTELLIGENCE
ROBERT STERNBERG (1985)
Sternberg views
intelligence as “ the ability
to adapt, to shape and to
Select environment to
accomplish one’s goals
and those of one’s society
and culture”.

5. Triarchic Theory of Intelligence
According to this theory there are three basic
types of intelligence:
Componential, Experiential and Contextual
The elements of the triarchic theory of
intelligence are shown in figure 1.1

6. Fig 1.1 Elements of Triarchic Theory of
Intelligence

7. Componential Intelligence
Componential or analytical intelligence is the
analysis of information to solve problems.
Persons high on this ability think analytically and
critically and succeed in schools.

8. Componential Intelligence
This intelligence has three components, each
serving a different function. First is the
knowledge acquisition component, which is
responsible for learning and acquisition of the
ways of doing things.

9. Componential Intelligence
The second is the meta or a higher order component,
which involves planning concerning what to do and
how to do.
The third is the performance component, which
involves actually doing things.

10. Experiential Intelligence
Experiential or creative intelligence is involved in using
past experiences creatively to solve novel problems. It
is reflected in creative performance. Persons high on
this aspect integrate different experiences in an
original way to make new discoveries and inventions.
They quickly find out which information is crucial in a
given situation.

11. Activity 1.2
On the ‘Practical’ Track You have just been admitted into a
school/college. You will take three examinations during the
entire year. You sincerely want to receive high marks in the
course. How likely are you to engage in each of the following
actions?

12. Activity 1.2
• Attend classes regularly.
• Create study groups with your friends for weekly
discussions.
• Take detailed notes in the class.
• Join a tutorial/coaching centre.
• Prepare written notes for each chapter.
• Read the textbook chapters thoroughly.
• Solve the questions of the last three years.

13. Contextual Intelligence
Contextual or practical intelligence involves the ability
to deal with environmental demands encountered on a
daily basis. It may be called ‘street smartness’ or
‘business sense’.

14. Contextual Intelligence
Persons high on this aspect easily adapt to their
present environment or select a more favourable
environment than the existing one, or modify the
environment to fit their needs. Therefore, they turn out
to be successful in life.

15. Contextual Intelligence
Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence represents
the information processing approach to understand
intelligence

16. Answer the following
question
1.Ability to use past experience creatively to solve novel
problems is known as:
a) Musical intelligence
b) Interpersonal intelligence
c) Experiential intelligence
d) Contextual intelligence

17. Answer the following
question
2. ‘Selection of environment to accomplish one’s goal and
those of one’s society and culture is an intelligent act.
Its given by:
a) Sternberg
b) J.P.Guilford
c) Charles Spearman
d) Louis Thurstone

18. Answer the following
questions
3. How sternberg’s concept of intelligence is different
from other concepts?
4. Explain contextual intelligence with help of an
example?
5. Explain componential intelligence with an example?
6. How does the Triarchic theory help us to understand
intelligence?

19. References
 NCERT Psychology, Text for Class XI , Human
Development, Jean Piaget cognitive development
theory page 71-72
 NCERT Psychology, Text for Class XII Chapter 1
Variations in Psychological Attributes Page 8-9
 Images from Google search

20. Varadarajan Sundaramahalingam
Senior Psychology Teacher