Theories of Intelligence

The 3 Major Theories of Intelligence:

1. Spearman’s 2 factor theory of intelligence

2. Cattel’s theory of Intelligence
3. Gardner’s theory of Intelligence.

Charles Spearman developed his two-factor theory of intelligence using factor analysis. His research not only
led him to develop the concept of the g factor of general intelligence, but also the s factor of specific intellectual
abilities. The general intelligence, g, influences the performance on all mental tasks, while another component
influences abilities on a particular task.

The G Factor Theory:

1. British Psychologist, Charles argued that all activities shared a common factor called General
Intelligence, denoted as G.
2. The G Factor theory explains correlations among all kinds of intelligence.
3. It is a universal innate ability of an individual.
4. It is the cognitive fuel required for
5. It is general mental energy and remains constant in an individual.
6. Greater the G factor means greater success in life because G factor is used in all life activities.

Specia
l
Mech Specia
Specia G l
anical
l Fac Spata
Abilit
Verbal Specia
tor l
es
Abilit l Abilit
es Nume es
rical
Abilit
es
S Factor Theory:

1. It is learned and acquired in the environment, although it is necessary that the individual should have
the potential to acquire it.
2. The S factor is essentially the mental energy which varies from task to task.
a. E.g. a person may have specific ability for mathematics and not for painting.
Group Factor:

Also, Spearman added another factor called the group factor within the G Factor which comprised of a group of
items that correlated with one another such as in the factor of verbal comprehension, general knowledge,
explanation of similarities and vocabulary co-relates.

G
Facto
Verba r Perce
l Gener ptual Block
al
CompExpla Speed Objec
Puzzl
rehenKnowl
natio
Vocab et
Digit
edge
sionulary
n of Solvin
Asse
Encod
Simila g
mbly
ing
rity

Cattell’s Theory:

Raymond Cattell proposed that there are two types of Intelligence:

1. Fluid Intelligence: It reflects the information processing capabilities, reasoning and memory abilities,
e.g. if we are asked to solve an analog or to group a series of letter in a given format or remember a set
of numbers, we would be using Fluid Intelligence.
2. Crystallized Intelligence: Unlike fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence is accumulation of
information, skills and strategies that are learnt through experience and can be applied in solving
problematic situations. For. E.g. When participating in discussion we utilize crystallized intelligence to
find a solution to the problem by using our past experience and knowledge.

Gardner’s Theory of Intelligence:

1. Gardener’s theory of intelligence is also referred to as multiple intelligence theory.

2. He argued that we have 8 different forms of intelligences and each is relatively independent of each
other.
3. Each of the multiple intelligences is linked to an independent system in the brain.
4. These multiple intelligences do not operate in isolation.
5. Every activity involves multiple intelligences working together.
6. Gardner’s theory led to the development of intelligence test that included questions in which more
than one answers could be correct, providing an opportunity to demonstrate creative thinking.
Gardner’s 7 types of Multiple Intelligences:

1. Linguistic Intelligence:

a. People with higher degree of linguistic intelligence have a greater ability to express themselves
well both verbally and in writing.
b. Such people have very strong awareness of others and an ability to easily understand the
viewpoint of others.
c. The left side of the brain is associated with Linguistic Intelligence.

2. Logical Intelligence

a. People with higher degree of logical intelligence have the ability to manage Mathematics and
logic with ease.
b. Such people are well organized and disciplined.
c. The right side of the brain is associated with Logic Intelligence.

3. Interpersonal Intelligence

a. People with good interpersonal intelligence are born to be leaders.

b. These people are practical with a great sense of responsibility.
c. They are calm in their ways.
d. Have exceptional listening and spoken skills.
e. They know how to use their own knowledge and power to influence people.
f. Someone with Interpersonal Intelligence can easily identify the qualities in others and know
how to bring that quality out.

4. Intrapersonal Intelligence

a. Intrapersonal Intelligence is a characteristic of someone who is deeply connected with

themselves.
b. This type of person is usually more reserved but at the same time commands great
admiration from their peers.
c. Intrapersonal intelligence is considered the rarest.

5. Musical Intelligence

a. It is a rare kind of intelligence.

b. People with higher degree of musical intelligence have the ability to listen to sound and music
and identify different patterns and notes with ease.
c. A person with musical intelligence can easily create harmonies and songs and can often learn
to play an instrument alone from the simple knowledge of theory or by listening to a piece of
music.

6. Visual or Spatial Intelligence:

 a. Those with higher degree of spatial intelligence have the ability to create, imagine and draw
2D and 3D images.

b. This intelligence allows a person to imagine, create and see things that most others consider
impossible.

c. Professionals in gaming, architecture, multimedia and aerospace normally display a high level
of spatial intelligence.

7. Kinaesthetic Intelligence

a. Kinaesthetic Intelligence relates to the ease of bodily expression.

b. Such people have a great sense of space, distance, depth and size.
c. With greater control of the body, this person can perform complex movements with precision
and ease.
d. The cerebellum of the brain that controls voluntary movements of the body and is associated
with Kinaesthetic Intelligence.
e. This characteristic is present in Olympic and high performance athletes in order to deliver
good coordination and motor skills.

8. Naturalistic:
a. This particular intelligence involves sensitivity of an individual towards nature and the world.
b. People with this intelligence are interested in growing plants, taking care of animals or
studying animals or plants.
c. Zookeepers, biologists, gardeners, and veterinarians are among those that Gardner sees as
having high naturalist intelligence.

Classification of Levels of Intelligence in terms of IQ:

S# IQ Type IQ Score
1 Very Superior Intelligence 130
2 Superior Intelligence 120 to 129
3 Above average Intelligence 110 - 119
4 Average Intelligence 90 - 109
5 Below average Intelligence 80 - 89
6 Borderline Intelligence 70 - 79
7 Mild Mental Retardation 50 – 69
8 Moderate Retardation 35 to 49
9 Severe Mental Retardation 20 – 34
10 Profound Mental retardation Below 20

Types of Psychological Intelligence Test:

1. Achievement Test: A test designed to determine a person’s level of intelligence in a given subject
area.
2. Aptitude Test: A test designed to predict a person’s ability in a particular area of a line of work.
3. Speed Test; A pure speed test would be one in which individual differences depend upon the speed of
performance or person’s score.
4. Power Test: It is the one that has a time limit to permit everyone to attempt all items. The difficulty of
the items would be steeply graded.
5. Verbal Test: is the ability to understand, comprehend and critically evaluate written information .
6. Non-verbal: test which assesses nonverbal intelligence and is intended to discover an individual's
ability to understand and manage nonverbal tasks.
7. Paper & Pencil Test: It is a printed format test in which an individual has to write answers.
8. Performance Test: In such tests individuals are required to manipulate objects, pictures, blocks or
mechanical apparatus or may be required to perform more complex task, in a typical everyday-life
scenario.
9. Individual Test: These test are given individually and must be administered one-on-one by
psychologists or experimenters.