COG - Introduction to Intelligence Lesson

Learning Targets:

  • Define intelligence and list characteristics of how psychologists measure intelligence. 
  • Discuss how culture influences the definition of intelligence.
  • Compare and contrast contemporary theories of intelligence. 
  • Identify the contributions of key researchers in intelligence research and testing. 

AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2020. (n.d.). https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-psychology-course-and-exam-description.pdf

Introduction to Intelligence

You scored a 93 on your last AP Psychology test!! What a smarty you are! But wait, you are a horrible athlete? Does that mean that athletes are not smart? Wait...what does "intelligence" mean exactly? Can it have multiple variations or is it just a scholastic-based ability?

Psychologist David Wechsler defined intelligence as the global capacity to think rationally, act purposefully, and deal effectively with the environment. Often people view intelligence as just book smarts, but Wechsler offers a broader definition. Historically it has been debated whether intelligence is an inherent mental capacity, an achievement, or a descriptive quality. This leads us to some of the major controversies associated with intelligence. Is it one thing or several abilities and can we locate/measure it within the brain?

Types of Intelligence: Fluid Intelligence: The ability to think logically, reason, and abstractly solve problems; independent of learning, experience, and education; decreases after adolescence; examples include: solving puzzles, identifying patterns, using logic Crystallized Intelligence: Knowledge gained from prior learning and past experiences; increases into adulthood as we age; as we learn and accumulate new knowledge, crystallized intelligences increase; examples include: learning a new language, learning basic facts, knowledge gained from others

Theories on Intelligence

Please take a moment to watch this video on Theories of Intelligence. This will help you prepare for your Intelligence Theorists Project.

Intelligence and Culture    Intelligence and culture icon

The definition of intelligence is not universal and can vary across cultures. Culture influences the way people perceive and measure intelligence, with some cultures valuing practical skills, social and emotional intelligence, and language proficiency, among other abilities. Cultural bias in intelligence testing is a well-known issue in psychology, as many tests are based on Western concepts and may not accurately reflect the values and experiences of people from other cultures. To address this issue, psychologists have developed culturally sensitive intelligence tests that consider cultural differences and provide a more accurate assessment of intelligence across cultures. 

 

 

Key Researchers in Intelligence Research and Testing:

 

 

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