Nature of Intelligence INTRODUCTION

A large factor involved in the differences among the various theories concerning the nature of intelligence surrounds the definition of intelligence. As you will see, many of the differences stem from the fact that the word intelligence is defined in different ways. Some theorists include the whole range of talents, while others include only certain abilities. Some think that people are born with a specific capacity, while others believe one's intelligence develops as a result of his environment. Yet others prefer to consider the differences between acumen, or agility of mind, and the actual learning of material. Because of these vast disagreements, intelligence has only become a general term denoting some range of mental abilities, what one psychologist calls "what the tests test".

Many people have some views about intelligence, such as being smart, talented, or hard working. Their views on what constitute intelligence may be generally the same (i.e. anything that is not explicitly moronic or idiotic) but coming up with a precise definition is much harder. However, many agree that intelligence is the capacity to acquire and use knowledge. Intelligence is not actually what a person knows, but the potential for acquiring and using knowledge.

One's potential for obtaining and applying knowledge is impossible to measure directly, and must be measured by indirect means. The results of these knowledge tests are then compared to others with a similar characteristic, usually age, and the intelligence is thus estimated. IQ tests do just this, measuring intelligence through the amount of knowledge a person has. However, oftentimes the tests bias based on culture, as a farmer may not have had the opportunity to learn about skyscrapers. Raven's Progressive Matrices test takes a step in this direction, using abstract patterns instead of standard knowledge questions.

ABILITY THEORIES

Most traditional theories are ability theories, or theories that view intelligence as a collection of abilities and skills that can somehow be measured. This group of theories is also considered the psychometric view because it focuses so heavily on the measurement of intelligence.

These theories have been divided on the issue of whether intelligence is one general capacity (as in the IQ tests) or several separate capacities or intelligences. Each of these theories includes different criteria for intelligence as well as different ways of measuring the intelligence(s). Guilford had even proposed a theory that included 150 categories of intelligence.

Many of these models rely on factor analysis techniques. With this technique items and tasks that are correlated are grouped together as different factors of intelligence. This facilitates the measurement the different intelligences. Through the research of these theorists, each has come up with a model that explains the general concept of intelligence.