{"id":46007,"date":"2021-08-24T16:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T20:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=46007"},"modified":"2021-08-25T15:51:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-25T19:51:34","slug":"models-of-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/models-of-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"Models of Intelligence: Measuring IQ and More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How do you measure intelligence? Do you think it’s possible to come up with an objective and all-encompassing metric of intelligence? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the purpose of learning is to move through life more effectively, the measure of your intelligence should be how well you navigate each day. But, for many reasons, people want a way to quantify cumulative intelligence. There are several models of intelligence that people have developed to understand this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about the most famous and influential models of intelligence and how they compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Two Types of Intelligence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Modern psychologists largely agree that there are at least two kinds of intelligence<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Fluid intelligence is your capacity to think both logically and abstractly<\/strong>, understand how things relate, and keep relevant information front-of-mind while solving a problem. <\/li>
  2. Crystallized intelligence is your library of knowledge <\/strong>about how the world works as well as the mental models<\/a> you\u2019ve created from your experiences. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Models of Intelligence <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Historically, scientists have struggled to develop an objective measure of intelligence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Various psychologists have theories that attempt to conceptualize intelligence. One of the most famous models of intelligence ia Howard Gardner\u2019s multiple intelligences model which lists eight kinds of intelligence: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Logical-mathematical<\/strong>: critical thinking, abstract thinking<\/a>, and mathematical thinking<\/li>
    2. Spatial<\/strong>: the ability to visualize things in your mind and to gauge three-dimensional spaces <\/li>
    3. Linguistic<\/strong>: words and language<\/li>
    4. Kinesthetic<\/strong>: body control<\/li>
    5. Musical<\/strong>: sounds, tones, rhythms, and music<\/li>
    6. Interpersonal<\/strong>: the ability to pick up on people\u2019s mental and emotional states and work with them <\/li>
    7. Intrapersonal<\/strong>: self-awareness and the ability to accurately judge your own knowledge and competence<\/li>
    8. Naturalistic<\/strong>: the ability to relate to your natural surroundings (such as a hunter or gardener does)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Another example is Robert J. Sternberg\u2019s three types of intelligence<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Analytical<\/strong>: Solving the types of problems<\/a> you find on an academic test <\/li>
      2. Creative<\/strong>: Thinking outside the box to use what you know to create new ideas and solutions <\/li>
      3. Practical<\/strong>: Adapting and applying new ideas and solutions in the varied contexts of daily life (street smarts)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        In contrast to other theories, Sternberg\u2019s model is supported by empirical research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Sternberg did a study of children in Kenya that tested their practical knowledge of herbal medicines, which would help them in daily life, as well as their analytical knowledge, which helps them in school. Children who knew more about herbal medicines tended to perform worse at school, and vice versa. Sternberg reached the conclusion that the difference depended upon whether a child\u2019s family valued and emphasized practical knowledge or academic (analytical) knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Sternberg\u2019s study produced two important takeaways about traditional intelligence tests: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. They don\u2019t factor in differences in environment. A student\u2019s lack of <\/strong>exposure <\/em><\/strong>or support in a certain area of information doesn\u2019t reflect a lack of <\/strong>ability<\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong><\/li>
        2. They measure what people know at the time they take the test. People learn continually throughout their lives, and intelligence tests indicate nothing about test-takers\u2019 ability or potential to learn more.<\/strong> <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Sternberg\u2019s Dynamic Testing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          In order to improve upon the shortcomings of traditional tests, Sternberg and Elena Grigorenko developed dynamic testing. The premise of dynamic testing is that people constantly learn and raise their competence, so dynamic testing accounts for and contributes to that continual improvement.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Dynamic testing is a multistep process that involves: <\/p>\n\n\n\n