Present approaches suggest that intelligence means having the capacity to:
<ul>
<li>Learn from experience: this relates to the acquisition, retention, and use of knowledge.</li>
<li>Identify problems: to use your knowledge, you should have the ability to identify possible problems that need to be approached and solved.</li>
<li>Solve problems: you need to be able to use what you have learned to come up with a proper solution to the problems you have identified.</li>
</ul>

There is no standard definition of intelligence

Problem Solving

<ul>
<li>The term IQ was first formulated in the early 20th century by William Stern (a German psychologist).</li>
<li>Psychologist Alfred Binet developed the first intelligence tests to help the French government identify kids who needed extra academic help.</li>
<li>Although widely used, there continues to be debate and controversy over the use of such testing, cultural biases that may be involved, influences on intelligence, and even the very way we define intelligence.</li>
</ul>

History of the IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

Charles Spearman (British psychologist, 1863–1945) described a concept he referred to as general intelligence or the "g factor". He utilized the method named 'factor analysis' to investigate a few mental ability tests; his conclusion was that the results and scores on these tests were very similar:
People who did well on one cognitive test usually performed well on other tests, while those who performed badly on one test usually scored badly on others. Spearman concluded that intelligence is a general cognitive ability that can be measured and numerically expressed.

General intelligence

Louis L. Thurstone (1887-1955) didn't approach intelligence as a single, general ability; his theory focused on seven different primary mental abilities:
<ul>
<li>Associative memory: The capacity to memorize and recollect.</li>
<li>Numerical ability: The capacity to solve arithmetic problems.</li>
<li>Perceptual speed: The capacity to see differences and similarities among objects.</li>
<li>Reasoning: The capacity to find rules.</li>
<li>Spatial visualization: The capacity to visualize relationships.</li>
<li>Verbal comprehension: The capacity to define and understand words</li>
<li>Word fluency: The capacity to produce words rapidly.</li>
</ul>

Primary mental abilities

<ul>
<li>Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: the capacity to control your body and handle objects skillfully.</li>
<li>Interpersonal intelligence: the capacity to find and respond in the right way to the moods, motivations, and desires of other people.</li>
<li>Intrapersonal intelligence: the capacity to be self-aware and aligned with your inner feelings, values, beliefs, and thinking processes.</li>
<li>Logical-mathematical intelligence: the capacity think conceptually and abstractly, and the capacity to discern logically or numerical patterns.</li>
<li>Musical intelligence: the capacity to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre.</li>
<li>Naturalistic intelligence: the capacity to know and categorize animals, plants, and other objects in nature.</li>
<li>Verbal-linguistic intelligence: the capaity to have developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words.</li>
<li>Visual-spatial intelligence: the capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly.</li>
</ul>

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences

Robert Sternberg (American psychologist) proposed the concept "successful intelligence; this concept involves three different factors:
<ul>
<li>Analytical intelligence:the ability to evaluate information and solve problems.</li>
<li>Creative intelligence: the ability to come up with new ideas.</li>
<li>Practical intelligence: the ability to adapt to a changing environment.</li>
</ul>

The triarchic theory of intelligence

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Updated on October 08, 2019
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While <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-factors-determine-intelligence-2795285" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">intelligence</a> is one of the most talked about subjects in <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/psychology-basics-4157186" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">psychology</a>, there is no standard definition of what exactly constitutes intelligence. Some researchers have suggested that intelligence is a single, general ability. Others believe that intelligence encompasses a range of aptitudes, skills, and talents.
<figure><img src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/6vVxS1Q5CIQlyP8F-bhgRySO9eM=/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png" alt="How psychologists define intelligence" srcset="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Fi8rCc1y8w8a_XUq2QinGhFNk44=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png 300w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/5JMUvV--K3I42VXbuOdWpW4-9N0=/500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png 500w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/e4utSYHxgWs2RTNORd9dVSHlX1g=/700x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png 700w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Hh68oy-_uqafQGvTzOTOZus5Mp8=/900x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png 900w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/HunFtthPqFVGjw5eJ-CQs_qRfbY=/1100x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png 1100w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Gy0RMAhRzag-1bhWM1CdAzX9N9A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/theories-of-intelligence-2795035-01-152b36bf815d40f99533cd7dd4d5d2df.png 1500w"><figcaption dir="auto">Verywell / JR Bee&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h2 dir="ltr"> What Is Intelligence? </h2>
Intelligence has been a controversial topic throughout psychology's history. Despite the substantial interest in the subject, there is still considerable disagreement about what components makeup intelligence. In addition to questions of exactly how to define intelligence, the debate continues today about whether accurate measurements are even possible.

At various points throughout recent history, researchers have proposed some different definitions of intelligence. While these definitions can vary considerably from one theorist to the next, current conceptualizations tend to suggest that intelligence is the ability to:
<UL><LI>Learn from experience:&nbsp;The <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-acquisition-2795219" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">acquisition</a>, retention, and <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/fluid-intelligence-vs-crystallized-intelligence-2795004" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">use of knowledge</a> is an important component of intelligence.</LI><LI>Recognize problems:&nbsp;To put knowledge to use, people must be able to identify possible problems in the environment that need to be addressed.</LI><LI>Solve problems:&nbsp;People must then be able to take what they have learned to come up with a useful solution to a problem they have noticed in the world around them.1﻿</LI></UL>
Intelligence involves some different mental abilities including logic, reasoning, <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-problem-solving-2795485" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">problem-solving</a>, and planning. While the subject of intelligence is one of the largest and most heavily researched, it is also one of the topics that generate the greatest controversy.

While psychologists often disagree about the definition and causes of intelligence, research on intelligence plays a significant role in many areas. These areas include decisions regarding how much funding should be given to educational programs, the use of testing to screen job applicants, and the use of testing to identify children who need additional academic help.
<h2 dir="ltr"> Brief History of Intelligence </h2>
The term "intelligence quotient," or IQ, was first coined in the early 20th century by a German psychologist named William Stern. Psychologist <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/alfred-binet-biography-2795503" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Alfred Binet</a> 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 or a set of abilities that children of a certain age possess.2﻿

Since that time, intelligence testing has emerged as a widely used tool that has led to developing many other tests of skill and aptitude. However, it&nbsp;continues to spur debate and controversy over the use of such testing, cultural biases that may be involved, influences on intelligence, and even the very way we define intelligence.
<h2 dir="ltr"> Theories of Intelligence </h2>
Different researchers have proposed a <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-theory-2795970" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">variety of theories</a> to explain the nature of intelligence. Here are some of the major theories of intelligence that have emerged during the last 100 years.
<h3 dir="ltr"> General Intelligence </h3>
British psychologist Charles Spearman (1863–1945) described a concept he referred to as <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-general-intelligence-2795210" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">general intelligence</a> or the g factor. After using a technique known as factor analysis to examine some 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&nbsp;general cognitive ability that can be measured and numerically expressed.3﻿
<h3 dir="ltr"> Primary Mental Abilities </h3>
Psychologist Louis L.Thurstone (1887–1955) offered a differing theory of intelligence. Instead of viewing intelligence as a single, general ability, Thurstone's theory focused on seven different primary mental abilities.4﻿
<UL><LI>Associative memory: The ability to memorize and recall</LI><LI>Numerical ability: The ability to solve arithmetic problems</LI><LI>Perceptual speed: The ability to see differences and similarities among objects</LI><LI>Reasoning: The ability to find rules</LI><LI>Spatial visualization: The ability to visualize relationships</LI><LI>Verbal comprehension: The ability to define and understand words</LI><LI>Word fluency: The ability to produce words rapidly</LI></UL><h3 dir="ltr"> Theory of Multiple Intelligences </h3>
One of the more recent ideas to emerge is <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/howard-gardner-biography-2795511" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Howard Gardner</a>'s theory of multiple intelligences. Gardner proposed that the traditional idea of intelligence, based on IQ testing, did not fully and accurately depict a person's abilities. His theory proposed <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-2795161" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">eight different intelligences</a> based on skills and abilities that are valued in different cultures:5﻿
<UL><LI>Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: The ability to control your body movements and to handle objects skillfully</LI><LI>Interpersonal intelligence: The capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations, and desires of others</LI><LI>Intrapersonal intelligence: The capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs, and thinking processes</LI><LI>Logical-mathematical intelligence: The ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and the capacity to discern logically or numerical patterns</LI><LI>Musical intelligence: The ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre</LI><LI>Naturalistic intelligence: The ability to recognize and categorize animals, plants, and other objects in nature</LI><LI>Verbal-linguistic intelligence: Well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words</LI><LI>Visual-spatial intelligence: The capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly</LI></UL><h3 dir="ltr"> Triarchic Theory of Intelligence </h3>
Psychologist <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/robert-sternberg-biography-1949-2795530" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Robert Sternberg</a> defined intelligence as "mental activity directed toward purposive adaptation to, selection, and shaping of real-world environments relevant to one's life."

While 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 what he referred to as "successful intelligence," which involves three different factors:6﻿
<UL><LI>Analytical intelligence: Your ability to evaluate information and solve problems</LI><LI>Creative intelligence:&nbsp;Your ability to come up with new ideas</LI><LI>Practical intelligence: Your ability to adapt to a changing environment</LI></UL><h2 dir="ltr"> Questions About Intelligence Testing </h2>
In order to gain a deeper understanding of intelligence and the tests developed to <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-average-iq-2795284" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">measure this concept</a>, it's important to understand the history of intelligence testing, the research that has been conducted, and the findings that have emerged.

Major questions about intelligence and IQ testing&nbsp;still include:
<UL><LI>Are intelligence tests biased?</LI><LI>Is intelligence a single ability, or does it involve an assortment of multiple skills and abilities?</LI><LI>Is intelligence inherited, or does the environment play a larger role?</LI><LI>What do intelligence scores predict, if anything?</LI></UL>
To explore these questions, psychologists have conducted a considerable amount of research on the nature, influences, and effects of intelligence.7﻿
<h2 dir="ltr"> A Word From Verywell </h2>
While there has been considerable debate over the exact nature of intelligence, no definitive conceptualization has emerged. Today, psychologists often account for the many theoretical viewpoints when discussing intelligence and acknowledge that this debate is ongoing.
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Learn about the various theories of intelligence since many psychologists don't agree on a standard definition.

While <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-factors-determine-intelligence-2795285">intelligence </a>is one of the most talked about subjects in <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/psychology-basics-4157186">psychology </a>, there is no standard definition of what exactly constitutes intelligence. Some researchers have suggested that intelligence is a single, general ability. Others believe that intelligence encompasses a range of aptitudes, skills, and talents.

Intelligence has been a controversial topic throughout psychology's history. Despite the substantial interest in the subject, there is still considerable disagreement about what components makeup intelligence. In addition to questions of exactly how to define intelligence, the debate continues today about whether accurate measurements are even possible.

At various points throughout recent history, researchers have proposed some different definitions of intelligence. While these definitions can vary considerably from one theorist to the next, current conceptualizations tend to suggest that intelligence is the ability to:

<ul><li>Learn from experience :  The <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-acquisition-2795219">acquisition </a>, retention, and <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/fluid-intelligence-vs-crystallized-intelligence-2795004">use of knowledge </a>is an important component of intelligence. </li><li>Recognize problems : To put knowledge to use, people must be able to identify possible problems in the environment that need to be addressed. </li><li>Solve problems :  People must then be able to take what they have learned to come up with a useful solution to a problem they have noticed in the world around them.1 ﻿ </li> </ul>

Intelligence involves some different mental abilities including logic, reasoning, <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-problem-solving-2795485">problem-solving </a>, and planning. While the subject of intelligence is one of the largest and most heavily researched, it is also one of the topics that generate the greatest controversy.

While psychologists often disagree about the definition and causes of intelligence, research on intelligence plays a significant role in many areas. These areas include decisions regarding how much funding should be given to educational programs, the use of testing to screen job applicants, and the use of testing to identify children who need additional academic help.

The term "intelligence quotient," or IQ, was first coined in the early 20th century by a German psychologist named William Stern. Psychologist <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/alfred-binet-biography-2795503">Alfred Binet </a>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 or a set of abilities that children of a certain age possess.2 ﻿

Since that time, intelligence testing has emerged as a widely used tool that has led to developing many other tests of skill and aptitude. However, it continues to spur debate and controversy over the use of such testing, cultural biases that may be involved, influences on intelligence, and even the very way we define intelligence.

Different researchers have proposed a <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-theory-2795970">variety of theories </a>to explain the nature of intelligence. Here are some of the major theories of intelligence that have emerged during the last 100 years.

British psychologist Charles Spearman (1863–1945) described a concept he referred to as <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-general-intelligence-2795210">general intelligence </a>or the g factor . After using a technique known as factor analysis to examine some 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 can be measured and numerically expressed.3 ﻿

Psychologist Louis L.Thurstone (1887–1955) offered a differing theory of intelligence. Instead of viewing intelligence as a single, general ability, Thurstone's theory focused on seven different primary mental abilities.4 ﻿

<ul><li>Associative memory : The ability to memorize and recall </li><li>Numerical ability : The ability to solve arithmetic problems </li><li>Perceptual speed : The ability to see differences and similarities among objects </li><li>Reasoning : The ability to find rules </li><li>Spatial visualization : The ability to visualize relationships </li><li>Verbal comprehension : The ability to define and understand words </li><li>Word fluency : The ability to produce words rapidly </li> </ul>

One of the more recent ideas to emerge is <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/howard-gardner-biography-2795511">Howard Gardner </a>'s theory of multiple intelligences. Gardner proposed that the traditional idea of intelligence, based on IQ testing, did not fully and accurately depict a person's abilities. His theory proposed <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-2795161">eight different intelligences </a>based on skills and abilities that are valued in different cultures:5 ﻿

<ul><li>Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence : The ability to control your body movements and to handle objects skillfully </li><li>Interpersonal intelligence : The capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations, and desires of others </li><li>Intrapersonal intelligence : The capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs, and thinking processes </li><li>Logical-mathematical intelligence : The ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and the capacity to discern logically or numerical patterns </li><li>Musical intelligence : The ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre </li><li>Naturalistic intelligence : The ability to recognize and categorize animals, plants, and other objects in nature </li><li>Verbal-linguistic intelligence : Well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words </li><li>Visual-spatial intelligence : The capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly </li> </ul>

Psychologist <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/robert-sternberg-biography-1949-2795530">Robert Sternberg </a>defined intelligence as "mental activity directed toward purposive adaptation to, selection, and shaping of real-world environments relevant to one's life."

While 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 what he referred to as "successful intelligence," which involves three different factors:6 ﻿

<ul><li>Analytical intelligence : Your ability to evaluate information and solve problems </li><li>Creative intelligence : Your ability to come up with new ideas </li><li>Practical intelligence : Your ability to adapt to a changing environment </li> </ul>

In order to gain a deeper understanding of intelligence and the tests developed to <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-average-iq-2795284">measure this concept </a>, it's important to understand the history of intelligence testing, the research that has been conducted, and the findings that have emerged.

Major questions about intelligence and IQ testing still include:

<ul><li>Are intelligence tests biased? </li><li>Is intelligence a single ability, or does it involve an assortment of multiple skills and abilities? </li><li>Is intelligence inherited, or does the environment play a larger role? </li><li>What do intelligence scores predict, if anything? </li> </ul>

To explore these questions, psychologists have conducted a considerable amount of research on the nature, influences, and effects of intelligence.7 ﻿

While there has been considerable debate over the exact nature of intelligence, no definitive conceptualization has emerged. Today, psychologists often account for the many theoretical viewpoints when discussing intelligence and acknowledge that this debate is ongoing.

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

How Different Psychologists Have Evaluated Intelligence

There is no standard definition of intelligence

History of the IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

General intelligence

Primary mental abilities

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences

The triarchic theory of intelligence

IDEAS ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Daniel Goleman and His Theory on Emotional Intelligence - Exploring your mind

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?

Why a high IQ doesn't mean you're smart

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

How Different Psychologists Have Evaluated Intelligence

There is no standard definition of intelligence

History of the IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

General intelligence

Primary mental abilities

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences

The triarchic theory of intelligence

IDEAS ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Daniel Goleman and His Theory on Emotional Intelligence - Exploring your mind

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?

Why a high IQ doesn't mean you're smart

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career