Intelligence
From Wikinfo
(1) Intelligence is a general mental capability that involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend ideas and language, learn, and act rationally.
It includes a whole host of abilities including knowledge, wisdom, emotion, desire, intent, aptitude, innate ability and others. The exact definition and importance of intelligence is an issue of some controversy, even in psychometrics where it has been defined by the factor analysis of IQ tests known to show excellent real-world relevance.
Intelligence tests are often used to quantify human intelligence. This is not without controversy; see below for more information.
Some thinkers have explored the idea of collective intelligence, arising from the coordination of many people. Computer science has developed the field of artificial intelligence, which seeks to make computers act in increasingly intelligent ways. Many people have also speculated about the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.
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Intelligence tests
Intelligence, narrowly defined, can be measured by intelligence tests (see IQ). They are among the most accurate (reliable and valid) psychological tests, but they are not intended to measure creativity, personality, character, or wisdom. Intelligence tests take many forms, but they all measure the same intelligence. The most general factor or factors derived from intelligence tests are known as g (see g theory).
Some researchers have proposed that intelligence is not a single quantity or concept, but really consists of a set of relatively independent abilities. Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, for example, breaks intelligence down into the seven different components: logical, linguistic, spatial, musical, kinesthetic, intra-personal and inter-personal intelligences. Daniel Goleman and several other researchers have developed the concept of emotional intelligence and claim it is at least as important as more traditional sorts of intelligence.
Even when IQ tests are constructed, G is often (in all major tests) broken down into factors itself these days. Cattell-Horn theory breaks it down (at least) into Gf (fluid) and Gc (crystallized). It is also common to consider intelligence as being part planning, part attention. Sometimes, a Gv is identified. This is what modern statistics and computers make possible.
Wechsler tests break it down into at least verbal and performance sections. Any major deviance between sections is clinically important, as are differences in the Kaufman tests (which can give Cattell-Horn or planning-attention scores).
Controversies
Researchers in the field of human intelligence have encountered a considerable amount of public concern and criticism; much more than many scientists would be accustomed to or comfortable with. Some of the controversial topics include:
- the relevance of psychometric intelligence to the common sense understanding of the topic
- the importance of intelligence in everyday life
- the genetic and environmental contributions to individual variation in intelligence (see Nature versus nurture).
- differences in average measured intelligence between racial groups and sexes; and the source and meaning of these differences (see Race and intelligence).
References
- Campbell, J. P. (1990). The role of theory in industrial and organizational psychology. In M. D. Dunnette & L.M Hough (Eds.). Handbook of industrial-organizational psychology 2nd ed.), Vol. 1 (pp. 39-74). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
- Hunt, E. (2001). Multiple views of multiple intelligence. [Review of Intelligence reframed: Multiple intelligence in the 21st century.] Contemporary Psychology, 46, 5-7.
External Links
(2) Intelligence is the process and the result of gathering and analysing difficult to obtain or altogether secret information. See espionage, intelligence agencies.
- Business intelligence denotes the public or secret information that an organization obtains about its competitors and market.
- Military intelligence is an element of warfare which covers the aspects of gaining information over the enemy forces. It involves spying, look-outs, high-tech survaillance equipement and also secret agents.
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Intelligence" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence, used under the GNU Free Documentation License
