Intelligence is the ability of abstract thinking

Intelligence is the Ability of Abstract Thinking

Garrett : Intelligence as including the abilities demanded in the solution of problems which require the comprehension and use of symbols.

Account to Terman : Intelligence is the ability to think abtract.

Defects : - Abstract thinking above is not intelligence but it is a part of intelligence.

Account to Brown: Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, think rationally and deal effectively with his environment.

Account to Thomdike : Intelligence is defined as the ability of an individual to cope with his environment. It may be thought of as a composite or organisation of abilitites to learn, to grasp broad and subtle facts, especially abstract facts, with alertness and accuracy to exercise mental control and to display flexibility and ingenuity is seeking the solution of problems.

Intelligence characterizes the whole behaviour of an individual (global) and is a sum (aggregate) of his abilities which are quantitatively differentiable though it is not the sum total of these abilities for the following reasons.

  1. Number of quality and manner in which these abilities are combined.
  2. Factors other than intellectual ability (drive, incentives)
  3. Excess ability, above that required for intelligence behaviour, in one particular ability may add little to the effectiveness of behaviour as a whole.

Account to Thomdike, intelligence has three different levels of functioning.

  1. Abstract Intelligence : Ability to understand and manage ideas and symbols much as words, numbers etc.
  2. Mechanical Intelligence : The ability to understand and manage man and women and to act wisely in human relations.

Theories of nature of intelligence

  1. Monarchic : This theory holds that intelligence is a single ability which affects all the activities of the individual. Account to this theory, intelligence is a general ability which determines various specific or particular activities.
  2. Oligarchic : This theory postulates that intelligence is an average of mutually independent abilities.
  3. Multifactor or anarchic theory : This theory holds that Intelligence is the mean of undetermined independent rudimentary abiline,
  4. Two factor theory:

Two factors are these an intelligence

  1. General Intelligence : (G) every activities it is constant.
  2. Specific Intelligence : (S) Consists to specific activities. It is of various types and several types being independent of each other. They differ from individual to individuals. This intelligence of a person is normally correlated with his general intelligence
Last modified: Wednesday, 30 November 2011, 9:27 AM