Intelligence Concepts and Theories

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary difference between Thurstone's theory of multiple intelligences and Gardner's theory?

Thurstone believed that mental abilities are interdependent, while Gardner believes they are independent. (correct)

Thurstone believed in the existence of a general intelligence factor, while Gardner did not.

Thurstone focused on identifying specific mental abilities, while Gardner focused on the broader concept of intelligence.

Thurstone's theory was based on empirical evidence, while Gardner's theory was purely theoretical.

What is the significance of the 's' factors in modern intelligence theories?

They are a measure of a person's overall cognitive ability.

They account for the variability in intelligence scores within a population.

They represent specific abilities that are not necessarily related to general intelligence. (correct)

They are the basis of Thurstone's theory of multiple intelligences.

According to Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, what is the primary evidence for the existence of distinct intelligences?

The existence of specific mental abilities that are not significantly correlated.

The observation that brain damage can affect specific mental abilities without affecting others. (correct)

The presence of savant syndrome in individuals with developmental disorders.

Individual differences in cognitive ability.

How does Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences differ from Thurstone's theory?

Gardner's theory emphasizes the cultural influence on intelligence, while Thurstone's theory does not. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences?

Each intelligence is best measured through standardized tests. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is metacognition?

The ability to understand and control one's mental activity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a 'primary mental ability' according to Thurstone?

Emotional intelligence (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to Spearman's two-factor theory of intelligence, what is the 'g factor'?

A general factor of intelligence underlying all mental abilities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'S factor' represent in Spearman's two-factor theory of intelligence?

A specific factor related to a particular skill or task. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did Thurstone's theory of primary mental abilities differ from Spearman's two-factor theory?

Thurstone believed that intelligence is made up of several distinct mental abilities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is factor analysis, as used in the context of intelligence research?

A statistical technique used to identify underlying factors that contribute to performance on tests. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why was Spearman's concept of the 'g factor' controversial?

It proposed that intelligence is a single, general factor, not a combination of specific abilities. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'intelligence' according to the provided content?

The ability to adapt to and succeed in one's environment. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Intelligence Definition

Intelligence is defined as the ability to learn, effectively meet environmental demands, and understand and control one's mental activities (metacognition).
Metacognition is the ability to understand and control one's mental activities.
This involves thinking about one's thinking.
Studying, for example, is a method of meeting academic demands, while knowing when to stop studying and when one is ready for a test is an aspect of metacognition.

General vs. Specific Intelligence

Spearman's g Factor: Spearman developed a statistical method (factor analysis) to determine if test items correlate within distinct clusters.
People who do well on vocabulary tests often do well on reading comprehension (verbal reasoning cluster).
Other clusters include logical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and mechanical reasoning skills.
g factor: A general intelligence factor underlying all mental abilities. A bright child generally scores higher across all intelligence aspects than a dull one.
s factor: Specific intelligence factors tied to individual mental abilities or competencies.
Example of two-factor view: A person might be extremely knowledgeable but struggle significantly with tasks like driving a car or making friends, but excelling in specific areas like languages, musical instruments, and other specialized topics. This exemplifies the g factor not being solely academic. It also demonstrates the ability to understand one's environment

Theories of Intelligence

Thurstone's Primary Mental Abilities: Challenged the idea of a general intelligence factor, proposing seven distinct, unrelated mental abilities. He believed the differences between individuals arose from variations in these primary mental abilities.
A later reevaluation showed that skills were not completely independent. Note - these original abilities are not considered the definitive set of primary mental abilities
Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences: This theory, which grew from Thurstone, suggests multiple independent intelligences rooted in various brain regions.
Brain damage can be localized, highlighting specific areas of intelligence rather than overall cognitive collapse.
Savant syndrome (as seen in autism) demonstrates people with general cognitive impairment display extraordinary talents in specific areas.
Examples include incredibly detailed artistic skills after limited exposures to stimuli. An artist for example, may produce a detailed piece of art after a quick visual observation.
Gardner's theory emphasizes cultural relevance: Intelligences are measured in contexts relevant to specific cultures.

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Description

Explore the definitions and theories of intelligence, including the concept of metacognition and Spearman's g factor. This quiz examines the distinctions between general and specific intelligence, as well as various reasoning clusters related to cognitive abilities.