Glossary
Analytical Intelligence
One component of Sternberg's triarchic theory, referring to academic problem-solving skills, such as analyzing, evaluating, and comparing information.
Example:
A student who excels at solving complex algebra equations and dissecting literary themes demonstrates strong analytical intelligence.
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, involving the ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully. It is often seen in athletes, dancers, and surgeons.
Example:
A professional dancer who can execute complex choreography with precision and grace demonstrates exceptional bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
Charles Spearman
A psychologist who proposed the theory of general intelligence ('g' factor), suggesting that a single underlying mental capacity influences all cognitive abilities.
Example:
Charles Spearman's theory would suggest that someone who excels at verbal reasoning is also likely to perform well in spatial tasks due to their strong 'g' factor.
Collectivist cultures
Cultures that prioritize group goals, social harmony, and interdependence over individual desires. Success is often viewed in terms of contributions to the community.
Example:
In a collectivist culture, a family might make decisions together, considering how each choice impacts the entire household rather than just one person.
Creative Intelligence
One component of Sternberg's triarchic theory, involving the ability to generate novel ideas, adapt to new situations, and produce unique solutions.
Example:
An artist who invents a new painting technique or a scientist who devises an innovative experiment exhibits high creative intelligence.
Crystallized Intelligence
Cattell's concept of accumulated knowledge and verbal skills, which tends to increase with age. It relies on learned information and past experiences.
Example:
A history professor's vast knowledge of historical events and dates is an example of their strong crystallized intelligence.
Daniel Goleman
A psychologist who popularized the concept of emotional intelligence, emphasizing its importance for success in life beyond traditional cognitive abilities.
Example:
Daniel Goleman's work highlights why someone with average academic intelligence might still thrive in their career due to their strong emotional skills.
Emotional intelligence
The ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions effectively. It involves recognizing emotions in oneself and others, and regulating one's own emotional responses.
Example:
A leader who can calm a tense meeting by understanding and addressing everyone's feelings demonstrates high emotional intelligence.
Factor analysis
A statistical method used to identify clusters of related items (factors) on a test. Spearman used it to support his 'g' factor theory by showing that various mental abilities tend to correlate.
Example:
Researchers might use factor analysis to determine if different types of questions on a personality test group together to measure underlying traits like extroversion or conscientiousness.
Fluid Intelligence
Cattell's concept of the ability to reason speedily and abstractly, solve novel problems, and think logically in new situations, independent of acquired knowledge.
Example:
When solving a complex puzzle you've never seen before, you primarily use your fluid intelligence to identify patterns and deduce solutions.
General Intelligence (g)
Spearman's concept of a single, pervasive intelligence factor that underlies all specific mental abilities. It suggests that if you are good at one cognitive task, you are likely good at others.
Example:
A high score on a standardized IQ test is often seen as an indicator of strong general intelligence, suggesting a broad capacity for various intellectual tasks.
Howard Gardner
A developmental psychologist who proposed the theory of multiple intelligences, arguing that intelligence is not a single entity but rather a collection of distinct, independent abilities.
Example:
Howard Gardner's theory suggests that a talented musician possesses a different type of intelligence than a skilled athlete, even if both are considered 'smart' in their respective fields.
Individualistic cultures
Cultures that emphasize personal goals, self-reliance, and individual achievement over group harmony. They often value unique talents and personal success.
Example:
In an individualistic culture, a person might prioritize their career advancement even if it means moving far away from their family.
Intelligence
The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. It encompasses various cognitive skills and capacities.
Example:
A student who quickly grasps new concepts in math and applies them to solve complex problems demonstrates high academic intelligence.
Interpersonal intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, involving the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It includes sensitivity to others' moods, feelings, and intentions.
Example:
A skilled therapist who can empathize with clients and navigate complex social dynamics possesses strong interpersonal intelligence.
Intrapersonal intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, referring to self-awareness and the ability to understand one's own emotions, motivations, and goals. It involves introspection and self-reflection.
Example:
A person who deeply understands their own strengths and weaknesses and uses this knowledge to set realistic goals has high intrapersonal intelligence.
L.L. Thurstone
A psychologist who challenged Spearman's 'g' factor, proposing that intelligence is composed of seven distinct primary mental abilities rather than a single general factor.
Example:
L.L. Thurstone's view would explain why someone might be excellent at verbal comprehension but only average in numerical ability, as these are separate mental skills.
Linguistic intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, referring to the ability to use language effectively, both orally and in writing. It involves sensitivity to the meaning and order of words.
Example:
A poet or a skilled debater would likely possess high linguistic intelligence due to their mastery of language.
Logical-Mathematical intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, involving the ability to reason logically, solve mathematical problems, and think abstractly. It is often associated with scientific thinking.
Example:
A computer programmer who can quickly debug complex code demonstrates strong logical-mathematical intelligence.
Multiple Intelligences
Gardner's theory proposing eight independent types of intelligence, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and naturalist.
Example:
A student who excels at understanding and interacting with others might have strong interpersonal intelligence, one of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences.
Musical intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, encompassing the capacity to perceive, appreciate, and produce rhythm, pitch, and timbre. It involves sensitivity to musical patterns.
Example:
A composer who can create intricate melodies and harmonies from scratch exhibits high musical intelligence.
Naturalist intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, referring to the ability to recognize, categorize, and understand patterns in the natural world. It is often seen in biologists, environmentalists, and farmers.
Example:
A botanist who can identify hundreds of plant species by their subtle characteristics demonstrates high naturalist intelligence.
Practical Intelligence
One component of Sternberg's triarchic theory, referring to the ability to apply knowledge to real-world situations, adapt to everyday demands, and solve problems with common sense.
Example:
Someone who can quickly figure out how to fix a leaky faucet or navigate a complex social gathering effectively demonstrates strong practical intelligence.
Raymond Cattell
A psychologist who proposed two types of general intelligence: fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.
Example:
Raymond Cattell's distinction helps explain why older adults might perform differently on tasks requiring quick thinking versus those relying on accumulated knowledge.
Robert Sternberg
A psychologist who proposed the triarchic theory of intelligence, suggesting that intelligence comprises three distinct forms: analytical, creative, and practical.
Example:
Robert Sternberg's theory would explain why a student might struggle with traditional tests (analytical) but excel at finding innovative solutions to real-world problems (creative and practical).
Savant syndrome
A condition in which a person with significant mental disabilities demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal.
Example:
An individual with savant syndrome might be unable to perform basic daily tasks but can flawlessly recall every detail of a book they've read once.
Spatial intelligence
One of Gardner's intelligences, referring to the ability to think in three dimensions, visualize objects, and mentally manipulate images. It is useful for navigation and design.
Example:
An architect who can envision a complex building design and mentally rotate it to see different perspectives uses their spatial intelligence.
Triarchic theory
Sternberg's theory of intelligence, which posits three distinct intelligences: analytical (academic problem-solving), creative (generating novel ideas), and practical (adapting to daily life).
Example:
According to the triarchic theory, a successful entrepreneur might rely heavily on their practical and creative intelligence, even if their analytical intelligence isn't exceptionally high.