Overview of Intelligence

Intelligence is not a single thing, but,rather, it is a socially constructed concept.

fig. 1

Phrenology map

Phrenology map of the mind, showing early ideas of where intelligence came from

KEY POINTS

Intelligence consists of one's ability to learn, problem solve and respond to situations using one's acquired knowledge.
Intelligence testing is one way to assess a person's intelligence and it often involves comparing one person's mental abilities against the abilities on the same task of a larger group of individuals. Results from these are often numbered scores known as an IQ or intelligence quotient.
Testing of intelligence has been highly debated and it is still questioned whether it is a helpful tool or a potential door to discrimination.
One measure for intelligence provides us with an IQ (intelligence quotient). One's IQ is often spoken about as if it were a tangible thing. When people describe intelligence as an objectively measured stable trait, this is an error in reasoning called reification.
Each culture may have its own opinions upon what is deemed intelligent. Certain tribes may value those who can hunt and weave baskets over those who can communicate clearly, whereas another culture may view hunting and weaving of baskets as a hobby and communication as an important skill.

TERMS

reification
The consideration of an abstract thing as if it were concrete.
intelligence quotient
A score derived from one of several different standardized tests attempting to measure intelligence.
intelligence
Capacity of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to learn and comprehend.
The study of intelligence has had a long and stormy history. However, findings from a century of research has helped to ellucidate what it is, how we measure it, and what factors contribute to it. The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the first that comes up when discussing intelligence. What can we say about nature vs. nurture as causal determinants of intelligence? A conservative and seemly safe position is that "in the field of intelligence, there are three facts about the transmission of intelligence that virtually everyone seems to accept:

1. Both heredity and environment contribute to intelligence.

2. Heredity and environment interact in various ways.

3. Extremely poor as well as highly enriched environments can interfere with the realization of a person's intelligence, regardless of the person's heredity".

Although most people agree with the causal role of genetics, the exact genetic link and how it operates is very far from being understood - another point that most psychologists would agree on. It is certainly not a single gene, but a complex combination of smaller genetic markers. In like manner, it is difficult to pin down single, identifiable elements of the environment which directly influence IQ scores. Several environmental factors influence intelligence.

So what has a century of research taught us about intelligence? It is difficult to define, but there is something we call intelligence that appears to relate to the ability to reason abstractly, to learn, and to adapt. It is determined partially by genetics, partially by environment; the real causes are a complex interplay between genetics and environment. Intelligence is somewhat, though not greatly, modifiable. We can measure some components of intelligence, although not always accurately. IQ tests are sometimes used inappropriately, but these tests can be useful in helping children attain their potential. There is still much debate about what an IQ test actually measures; is it a good measure of intelligence, a measure of only a part or one type of intelligence, or actually just a measure of test taking skills? Intelligence seems to change over a person's lifetime, and certain types of training can help people boost their IQ.

It is often difficult to remember that intelligence is purely a social construct, and as such is limited to operational definitions. The most commonly used measure of intelligence is an IQ (intelligence quotient) test. However, because intelligence is a socially-constructed entity, it is a fallacy to talk about intelligence as if it was a simplified, distinct and concrete entity. This error in reasoning is known as reification. What is considered intelligent varies across cultures. For example, in India, intelligence may be the mastery of the various properties of indigenous plants used for medicine.

Intelligence has been defined in different ways. However, general consensus is that intelligence is made up of one's ability to learn, problem solve, and respond to situations using one's obtained knowledge and skills. A report published by the Board of Scientific Affairs of the American Psychological Association provides this definition: "Individuals differ from one another in their ability to understand complex ideas, to adapt effectively to the environment, to learn from experience, to engage in various forms of reasoning, to overcome obstacles by taking thought. Although these individual differences can be substantial, they are never entirely consistent; a given person's intellectual performance will vary on different occasions, in different domains, as judged by different criteria. Concepts of "intelligence" are attempts to clarify and organize this complex set of phenomena. Although considerable clarity has been achieved in some areas, no such conceptualization has yet answered all the important questions, and none commands universal assent." Intelligence testing is just one way to assess a person's intelligence and often involves comparing one person's mental abilities against a larger group of individuals' abilities on the same task. Results from these are often numbered scores known as IQ or intelligence quotient.
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