Grammar school whizz-kids

Grammar school
whizz-kids



What is intelligence?

- There are more than 50 definitions of intelligence

- The main difficulty while measuring intelligence is that it cannot be observed directly; conclusions on it are
made based on behavior.

- The definition which encompasses the most highlighted features of intelligence is:

Intelligence is the ability to think abstractly and
quickly as well as efficiently cope in a new
situation based on the recognition of important
relations.

The structure of intelligence

- Is intelligence a single ability or is a combination of many independent abilities?
-What are the abilities; what is the connection between them?
- We have different models of the structure of intelligence which differ according to the methods
applied in the research and can be classified into so-called factor analysis methods and methods based
on other methods and data sources.
- The theory of two factors (Spearman Charles 1863-1945) - there is one general intelligence which is
genetic or inherited and more specific abilities which are the result of special interests, learning or
practice.
He used Factor Analysis G factor (general);
- Thurston Lewis 1887-1955) believed that intelligence consists of seven independent abilities which
he called primary mental abilities. Each can be developed differently within the same person
( verbal comprehension, word fluency, number facility, spatial visualization, associative memory,
perceptual speed, and reasoning)

The theory of multiple intelligences

Gardner Howard offered the theory of intelligence based on observations of what all people do
and what abilities they need to perform those activities. There are eight completely independent
intelligences: linguistic-verbal , logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical,
interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic.

Salovey and Mayer formulated the first formal theory of emotional intelligence (we receive a lot
of emotional and affective information, and we are differently efficient in processing such
information)

Individual differences in intelligence

- Francis Galton (1822-1911) was the first to try to measure an individual's intelligence. He was
also the first to create tests of mental abilities and several statistical methods for data processing,
which are still used today

- Alfred Binet (1857-1911) also studied individual differences in intelligence, and in 1905, with
his associate Theodore Simon he constructed the first test of intelligence - Binet - Simon's scale (
for children aged 3 -14 ). Bine introduced the concept of mental age.

Reliability of intelligence assessment

- experts use the term intelligence assessment instead of the measurement of intelligence
- Sometimes tests are not ideal measuring instruments ( subjective conditions such as fatigue,

severe anxiety, etc. can affect the results).

Nowadays intelligence is assessed in order to determine school readiness, assess intellectual talent
or backwardness, make a professional selection, for professional orientation , etc.)
A video on intelligence : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xTz3QjcloI