ASPECTS OF INTELLIGENCE

Intelligence may be narrowly defined as the capacity to acquire knowledge and understanding which enables the individual to deal with real situations and profit intellectually from sensory experience. There are a number of different methods which measure intelligence, the most famous of which is the IQ, or intelligence quotient test. In the formation of such tests many psychologists treat intelligence as a general ability in a wide variety of aptitudes. It is now becoming increasingly recognised that there are many different types of intelligence and that a high measured IQ, although desirable, is not the only key to success in life. Other characteristics, such  As outstanding artistic, creative or practical prowess, especially if combined with personal characteristics such as ambition, good temperament and compassion, could result in an outstanding level of success despite a low measured IQ. It is because of this that in recent years CQ (creative quotient) and EQ (emotional quotient), have become regarded as equally important, or even more important than, IQ measurement. A good memory is yet another type of intelligence, and could result in high academic success despite a low measured IQ test score.

Successful intelligence involves thinking in three aspects : analytically, creatively and practically. The three aspects of successful intelligence are related. Analytical or componential thinking is required to solve problems and to judge the quality of ideas. Creative or experiential intelligence is required to formulate good problems and ideas in the first place. Practical or contextual intelligence is needed to use the ideas and their analysis in an effective way in one’s everyday life. Successful intelligence is most effective when it balances all the three aspects.It is more important to know when and how to use these effectively than just to possess them.

According to the theory of multiple intelligence, it identifies nine types of intelligence which can be summarized as

1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”)

2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”)

3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart)

4. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”)

5. Existential intelligence

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)

7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”)

9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”)

It is completely wrong to write off or even put down someone who has scored badly in an IQ test which, after all, has only provided us with one type of information about that individual. All of us have the potential for achievement in some kind of intelligence and we also possess the potential for improvement in many other areas.