Do you analyze the situation before acting? Do you have more than one solution to any problem? Do you act according to the immediate environment and social context? Congratulations! Having one or all of these abilities makes you an intelligent person, at least according to the triarchic theory of intelligence. Image Source: https://bit.ly/2JF8YP0 This is one of the popular theories to measure one’s intelligence. American psychologist Robert Sternberg proposed the triarchic theory to describe the distinct types of intelligence in an individual: analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence. The theory is seen as a significant blend of the various theories of intelligence.  Sternberg argued that a person’s intelligence is determined by his adaption to the changing environment and how he contributes to shaping the world around him. If intelligence is properly defined and measured, as Sternberg believes, it may lead one to succeed in life. Analytical Intelligence: As the name suggests, this form of intelligence is all about analyzing, judging, comparing, evaluating and assessing information to arrive at a solution. The brain starts processing information when you are in this mode. It is thus not surprising that individuals with high analytical intelligence are better able to conceptualize a solution. Also known as componential intelligence, analytical intelligence is measured by IQ tests and academic achievements. Creative Intelligence: How do you react to the novel situations or new problems? Here you need to create ideas and solutions using your existing knowledge and skills. This way, you are using your creative intelligence or experimental intelligence. You must have seen how James Bond uses his intelligence and skills to cope up with unusual problems in a new place. With creative intelligence, you can solve riddles, do artwork, adjust to the new environment and find new ways to do new things efficiently. Practical Intelligence: Call it being a worldly wise or street smart, practical intelligence helps you survive in this cynical world, especially among unethical people. In short, it is all about accomplishing daily tasks in the real world. Your practical intelligence is determined by how you relate to your external environment, how do you deal with routine experiences and how you avoid being manipulated. For example, you want to purchase a home. As you don’t want to be taken advantage of, you will go through several price comparisons to make sure that your estate agent provides you with a fair price. Practical intelligence is gained by learning from the past experiences and utilizing that knowledge at the right time. How to Master Triarchic Theory of Intelligence? These are the three types of intelligence described by Sternberg in his triarchic theory of intelligence. We all have a certain amount of each type of intelligence. Some are high on creative intelligence; some excel at analysis. However, you need to balance all intelligence types to become smarter. In fact, all types of intelligence interrelate with each other. Your ability to analyze information helps you encounter new problems. To perform routine tasks in the real world, you need to use both analytical intelligence and creative intelligence. Whatever your circumstances are, you can combine all three forms to arrive at an optimal solution. You can then best identify the problem, come up with appropriate solutions, and execute them effectively. Banner Image Source: https://bit.ly/2sO5gMe Intelligence is one of the most talked-about subjects in psychology, but no standard definition exists. Some researchers have suggested that intelligence is a single, general ability. Other theories of intelligence hold that intelligence encompasses a range of aptitudes, skills, and talents. Verywell / JR BeeWhat Is Intelligence?Despite substantial interest in the subject, there still isn't a consensus among experts about the components of intelligence or whether accurate measurements of intelligence are even possible. Although contemporary definitions of intelligence vary considerably, experts generally agree that intelligence involves mental abilities such as logic, reasoning, problem-solving, and planning. Specifically, current definitions tend to suggest that intelligence is the ability to:
Research on intelligence plays a significant role in many areas including educational program funding, job applicant screening, and testing to identify children who need additional academic help. History of Intelligence in PsychologyGiven the intense interest in the concept of intelligence, some of the field's greatest minds have explored it from numerous angles. Following are some of the major theories of intelligence that have emerged in the last 100 years. General IntelligenceBritish psychologist Charles Spearman (1863–1945) described the concept of general intelligence, or the "g factor." After using factor analysis to examine mental aptitude tests, Spearman concluded that scores on these tests were remarkably similar. People who performed well on one cognitive test tended to perform well on other tests, while those who scored badly on one test tended to score badly on others. He concluded that intelligence is a general cognitive ability that researchers can measure and express numerically. Primary Mental AbilitiesPsychologist Louis L. Thurstone (1887–1955) focused on seven primary mental abilities rather than a single, general ability. These include:
Multiple IntelligencesAmong more recent ideas about intelligence is Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. He proposed that traditional IQ testing does not fully and accurately depict a person's abilities. He proposed eight different intelligences based on skills and abilities that are valued in various cultures:
The Triarchic Approach to IntelligencePsychologist Robert Sternberg defined intelligence as "mental activity directed toward purposive adaptation to, selection, and shaping of real-world environments relevant to one's life." Although he agreed with Gardner that intelligence is much broader than a single, general ability, he suggested that some of Gardner's types of intelligence are better viewed as individual talents. Sternberg proposed the concept of "successful intelligence," which involves three factors:
Intelligence (IQ) TestingEfforts to quantify intelligence took a significant leap forward when German psychologist William Stern first coined the term "intelligence quotient" (IQ) in the early 20th century. Building on this, psychologist Alfred Binet developed the very first intelligence tests to help the French government identify schoolchildren who needed extra academic assistance. Binet was the first to introduce the concept of mental age: a set of abilities that children of a certain age possess. Since that time, intelligence testing has emerged as a widely used tool that has led to many other tests of skill and aptitude. However, IQ testing continues to spur debate over its use, cultural biases, influences on intelligence, and even the very way we define intelligence. How Psychologists and Psychiatrists Measure IntelligenceExperts use a variety of standardized tests to measure intelligence. Some are aptitude tests administered in a group setting such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT). Others are IQ tests given to individuals. IQ test scores average around 100. Most children with intellectual disabilities (85%) score between 55 and 70. Severe disabilities usually correspond to still lower scores. The first IQ test ever used, the Binet-Simon intelligence scale, was developed in 1905 by Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon. Psychologist Lewis Terman of Stanford University then adapted this test for use in the United States. Known as the Stanford-Binet IQ test, it produced scores based on a person's estimated mental age divided by their chronological age (mental age/chronological age x 100). The mental age corresponded to that of the age group whose mean score matched the person's score. David Wechsler developed the first intelligence test for adults in 1939, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). It was the first to use standardized normal distribution in scoring and is commonly used today. It is divided into verbal and performance measures, which are further divided into verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed indices. Like most modern tests, it scores on a bell curve. Other tests that psychologists and psychiatrists use today include the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, the Cognitive Assessment System, and the Differential Ability Scale. Questions About IQ TestingThe study of the human mind is difficult in part because the most important tool in the effort is the same as the subject itself. As humans, researchers bring not only their knowledge and expertise, but also their biases, experiences, cultural backgrounds, and beliefs to the table; like all scientific experts, they must combat their own humanness to strive for objectivity. Add to that the sheer complexity of the human mind and the challenges in measuring a trait that has so many conflicting definitions and nuances. No single standard for intelligence or its quantification as yet exists. It's no surprise, then, that important questions about intelligence and IQ testing remain unanswered, at least in part. Some of these include:
To explore these questions, psychologists continue to research the nature, influences, and effects of intelligence. Their ongoing findings resonate across society, from education and the workplace to medical and behavioral diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. A Word From VerywellDespite considerable debate, no definitive conceptualization of intelligence has emerged in the field of psychology. Today, psychologists often account for the many theoretical viewpoints when discussing intelligence and acknowledge that the debate is ongoing. Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 parts to the triarchic theory of intelligence in order?Robert Sternberg developed another theory of intelligence, which he titled the triarchic theory of intelligence because it sees intelligence as comprised of three parts (Sternberg, 1988): practical, creative, and analytical intelligence (Figure 7.12).
What are the three levels of intelligence?The Triarchic Approach to Intelligence. Analytical intelligence: The ability to evaluate information and solve problems.. Creative intelligence: The ability to come up with new ideas.. Practical intelligence: The ability to adapt to a changing environment.. What are the 3 cognitive models of intelligence?The three layers (strata) are defined as representing narrow, broad, and general cognitive ability. The factors describe stable and observable differences among individuals in the performance of tasks.
What are the three parts of Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence quizlet?states that intelligence comes in three forms; analytical, creative, and practical.
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