Christopher Barnes

PSY 241
Writing Assignment
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 Writing Assignment
1. Briefly discuss Sternbergs triarchic theory of intelligence.

Sternberg developed the triarchic theory of intelligence, which states that intelligence
comes in three forms: (1) analytical intelligence, which refers to the ability to
analyze, judge, evaluate, compare, and contrast; (2) creative intelligence, which
consists of the ability to create, design, invent, originate, and imagine; and (3)
practical intelligence, which involves the ability to use, apply, implement, and put
ideas into practice.

2. What are the criteria generally used to diagnose mental retardation?

IQ scores are used to categorize or diagnose mental retardation as mild, moderate,
severe, or profound.

3. What is giftedness?

People who are gifted have high intelligence or superior talent of some kind. An IQ of
130 is often used as the low threshold for giftedness, although this figure is arbitrary.

4. We often associate superior intelligence with more negative behaviors like mental
illness, substance abuse, poor social adjustment, etc. Summarize what the textbook
says about the lives of gifted people.
Individuals who are gifted recall that they had signs of high ability in a specific area
at a very young age, prior to or at the beginning of formal training. This suggests the
importance of innate ability in giftedness. However, researchers also have found that
individuals with world-class status in the arts, mathematics, science, and sports all
report strong family support and years of training and practice. The criteria for
giftedness changeas an adult, an individual has to actually do something special to
be labeled gifted.