Child and Adolescent

Development –
Intelligence Studies Do you think you are intelligent?
Why or why not?

Dr Sau Yin LAU

The Open University of Hong Kong
EDU E253F
Spring Term 2020

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Intelligence
• Psychologists have long debated in
What is intelligence? conceptualising and measuring
intelligence.
• Some of them believe that intelligence is a
single, general ability while others argue
that intelligence encompasses a range of
aptitudes, skills and talents.

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Intelligence Theory of General Intelligence

“The true sign of intelligence is not • In the early 1900s, French psychologist
knowledge but imagination.” Alfred Binet and Henri Simon developed a
by Albert Einstein measure to differentiate higher ability
students from low ability ones.
“I know that I am intelligent because I • Their test included questions that require
know that I know nothing.” the students to name objects, define words,
by Socrates draw pictures, complete sentences,
compare items, and construct sentences.
“Common sense is not so common.” • The test developed by Binet and Simon is
by Voltaire regarded as the first intelligence test.

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 Theory of General Intelligence Theory of General Intelligence
• Analysis of the subject performance Frequency Distribution of IQ Scores
(performance of the students in the
intelligence test) showed that, although the
questions themselves were very different,
people who performed well on one cognitive
task tended to perform well on others.

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Theory of General Intelligence Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence

• British psychologist Charles Spearman • Spearman noticed that although the
found that academic performance in academic performance in different subjects
were highly positively correlated, the
different subjects were almost always
correlation was not perfect.
positively correlated.
• He proposed that, apart from the concept
• Based on the above results, Spearman general intelligence, there is a concept
suggested a concept called ‘general called ‘specific intelligence’.
intelligence’. • He concluded that intellectual performance
• He hypothesised that intelligence is a is determined partly by general intelligence
general cognitive ability that could be factor (g-factor), and partly by whatever
special abilities might be required to
measured and numerically expressed. perform a particular task (s-factor).

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Theory of General Intelligence Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence

• Researchers who agree with the concept • Psychologist Raymond Cattell suggested
of general intelligence would suggest that another way to differentiate two types of
a person who want to know how intelligence.
intelligent he/she can take part in a well- • Fluid Intelligence
developed psychometric test (e.g. the test • It refers to the ability to learn new ways of
solving problems and performing activities.
developed by Binet and Simon).
• It reflects information-processing
• The score of the intelligence test would capabilities, reasoning, and memory.
reflect the intelligence quotient (IQ). • Crystallized Intelligence
• It refers to the accumulation of information,
skills, and strategies that are learned
through their life.

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 Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

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Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory

• Robert Sternberg defined intelligence as a • Howard Gardner defined intelligence as
group of mental abilities necessary for the ability to solve problems or create
people to adapt to any environmental culturally valued products.
context, and also to select and shape the • Gardner suggested that there are eight
contexts in which they live and act. distinct intelligences based on skills and
• Sternberg identified three types of abilities that are valued within different
intelligence: cultures.
• Analytical intelligence
• Creative intelligence
• Practical intelligence

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Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory

• Analytical intelligence • Verbal-linguistic intelligence
• It refers to the problem-solving abilities. • It refers to the ability to use and
• It is the componential element of understand words and nuances of
intelligence. meaning.
• Creative intelligence • Logical-mathematical intelligence
• It refers to the ability to deal with new • It refers to the ability to manipulate
situations using past experience and current numbers, solve logical problems and
skill. investigate issues scientifically.
• It is the experiential element of intelligence.
• Visual-spatial intelligence
• Practical intelligence
• It refers to the ability to find one’s ways
• It refers to the ability to adapt to the around in an environment and judge
environment, to change it, or to get out of it. relationships between objects in space.
• It is the contextual element of intelligence.

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 Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory
• Musical intelligence
• It refers to the ability to perceive and What determines intelligence?
create patterns of pitch and rhythm.
• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence Nature?
• It refers to the ability to move with
precision and coordinate bodily
or Nurture?
movements.
• Interpersonal intelligence
• It refers to the ability to understand and
communicate with others.

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Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory Nature-Nurture Controversies

• Intra-personal intelligence • Many psychologists debate the question
• It refers to the ability to understand the
of whether nature or nurture is
responsible for determining intelligence.
self, to appreciate one’s feelings, fears and
motivations. • Some researchers found that there are
strong evidence to support the idea that
• Naturalistic intelligence nature determines intelligence.
• It refers to the ability to distinguish • Example:
species, and to recognize, categorize, and • The IQs of identical twins were more similar
draw upon certain features of the than those of fraternal twins.
environment. • Siblings raised together in the same home
have IQ’s that are more similar than those
of adopted children living in the same
environment.

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Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory Nature-Nurture Controversies

• On the other hand, some researchers
found other evidence supporting that
nurture affects intelligence.
• Examples:
• Identical twins raised apart have IQs that
are less similar that identical twins raised in
the same environment.
• Children who were breastfed during the
first 3-5 months of life had higher IQ scores
than those who were not breastfed.

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