Definitions of general intelligence.

Intelligence testing grew out of Western cultural definitions that placed a high value on abstract reasoning and analytical abilities. Definitions of intelligence are therefore strongly influenced by these cultural values. Intelligence is broadly defined as the mental abilities observed in the application of knowledge to problem solving. In particular people of high intelligence demonstrate their capacities to adapt using rationality and reasoning in responding to environmental challenges. Intelligence is also manifested in the ability to respond to and adapt to changing personal and conditions. Keeping in mind our current economic crisis business that respond effectively to these changing circumstances may have a chance to survive. Using these definitions it is also apparent that the intelligence construct is central to any theory of cognition. However, the latter is a broader concept that includes an understanding of how people develop and apply knowledge found in processes of memory, categorization, and recognition of relevant cognitive components.

The multiplicity of intelligence components led early researchers to use factor analysis to identify both the general (first) factor, and also other variable components of intelligence (Spearman, 1927; Thurstone, 1938). In addition to a general factor of intelligence the researchers also identified verbal comprehension, spatial abilities, speed of perception, mathematical reasoning, and word fluency. The general factor is composed of all subcomponents mentioned above in multifactor intelligence tests. However, as intelligence testing developed out of Western values it is not surprising that abilities to reason using logical rules, and carry out mental deductive hypothesis testing are considered central components of intelligence. Thurstone (1938) identified the existence of three basic factors called verbal, mathematical and spatial intelligence. Sternberg (1997) suggested that in addition to these traditional components intelligence is also reflected in creative, analytical and practical skills whereas intelligence tests only measure the analytic component. Gardner (1983) argued that personal (social) intelligence should be evaluated. Social intelligence is reflected in a person’s ability to understand the self and relate effectively to others. Further, Gardner pointed to music ability as a special form of intelligence. Research on intelligence has proceeded primarily from a psychometric perspective using intelligence tests developed in the West.

6.7.2 Nature or nurture: What determines intelligence?

The question of what is responsible for a person’s intelligence, nature or nurture, is only important because it is associated with sociopolitical issues where intelligence has been identified with phenotypical race as representative of the affect of invariable “nature”. Consistent differences have been found between phenotypical races on general measures of intelligence. The direction of the differences shows that African Americans score consistently lower than Americans of European background (Jensen, 1968, 1984). The research created a storm in American psychology, not least because it was published just as Black people were finding their way forward after centuries of oppression. Jensen argued that about 80 percent of intelligence is biologically determined and fixed and that therefore compensatory programs for the underprivileged are useless and a waste of resources.

Strong support for the nature theory is found in the studies of twins reared apart compared to fraternal twins reared together (Bouchard & McGue, 1981). If intelligence has a large nature component and is biological inherited then twins reared apart should produce very similar intelligence scores, whereas if the environment is primarily responsible then the fraternal twins raised in the same environment should yield more similarity. In fact the results showed that identical twins reared apart, had more similar scores (.82 correlation) than fraternal twins reared in the same homes. Although most researchers agree that there is a biological component in intelligence (Plomin, 1990), Jensen’s application of these findings to phenotypical race is rejected by most researchers today. It would be more fruitful to examine the relationship between brain size and intelligence (Jensen & Johnson, 1993).

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 808