what IS intelligence?

College Confidential Community
1

<p>we know it's not measured by a "gpa" or "test score"; but what exactly IS it?</p>

<p>I even read in a psychology book/sociology book that an IQ score does not even measure the "potential intelligence" of an individual...</p>

<p>so what IS intelligence? is it street smart? your ability to think about a problem in real life situations (e.g., someone takes advantage of you, what's the best thing to do)</p>

<p>stuff like that?</p>

<p>making decisions about how you choose to live your life?</p>

<p>reacting to people's comments
?</p>

<p>what IS intelligence!</p>

2

<p>Good question....I think intelligence is a combination of "street" smarts and "book" smarts. These both prepare you to make you succeed in the real world. I don't think intelligence is based on just one thing.<br>
I dont know...that is a question that can make you think...</p>

3

<p>starry, ya, i agree w/that...</p>

<p>it is kind of a combo [mcdonalds? hahah]....</p>

<p>because it has to come from a variety of sources, not just one source, in order for you to be "intelligent"</p>

<p>yups yups...</p>

4

<p>I think to try to define intelligence is like trying to define art. we all can come up with some examples of what intelligence might be. same with art, we all can name certain peices that can be considered art but intelligence is such a broad term and one definition isn't enough to cover everything what intelligence encompasses. so I second the breakfast combo idea :)</p>

5

<p>I think intelligence consists of the ability to quickly grasp complicated concepts and to be able to apply them, plus the ability to not only understand concepts presented to you but also think up your own.</p>

<p>Does that make sense? I'm tired....</p>

6

<p>The problem with defining "intelligence" is that there are so many different types. There are plodding thinkers, insane number crunchers, people with excellent static memory, etc.</p>

7

<p>I subscribe to the theory</a> of multiple intelligences. Traditional intelligence I think would be defined by high mathematical, verbal, intrapersonal ("knowing thyself"), and interpersonal (communicating ideas effectively as well as knowing how to present yourself) skills.</p>

8

<p>I think that it is clear from all the responces above intelligance is relative. I especially like dwerbowy's corralation of art to intelligence, it's in the eyes of the beholder. Some might consider it to be the ability to memorize facts(Ken Jennings), find more complex ideas interwoven within simpler ones (John Nash), one that can understand complex ideas at a young age (Motzart), street smarts (Huck Finn and almosteveryone from the Bronx lol). As you can see there is a large scope of what people can interpert as intelligent.
An example:
Recently my teacher was passing out reminders for a gifted meeting. To my surprise only ablut three people, incliuding me, received a paper. To my amazment people looked at me with awe as I recieved a paper. Because we were all in the same program I assumed everyone, or nearly everyone, in my classes was gifted. Suddenly, it seemed, people came out of nowhere asking ME if I thought they were intelligent. I don't even consider myself intelligent! I have to be the smartest dumb person you've ever met. I wish I had half of the common sense some of these guys have. I walk into parking meters for goodness sake!
Case in point I feel intelligence is undefinable.</p>

9

<p>I think a general definition of intelligence is the ability to learn. The quicker and more fully you are able to learn, the more "intelligent" you are.</p>

10

<p>whatever you want it to be</p>

11

<p>IQ tests only approximate a small range of intelligence....</p>

<p>For example, solving a rubik's cube demonstrates intelligence, but the ability to solve a rubik's cube is not the same as intelligence.......there are many intelligent people that could not solve a rubik's cube. This kind of principle applies to so many mental tasks that defining intelligence is rather difficult.....</p>

12

<p>Technically, intelligence is probably defined by performance on an IQ test, but practically, I think it is, like everyone else said, a combination of verbal, mathematical spatial, etc. ability, and especially the ability to apply knowledge to new situations, and make connections without being told.<br>
I don't see why the theory of multiple intelligences has to be mutually exclusive with Spearman's hypothesis (g) - it seems like if there are multiple intelligences, they can still be correlated, producing a general intelligence factor.</p>

13

<p>I also agree that intelligence does have to do with some kind of "book-related" matter, but that would be the last or least part of it.</p>

<p>i mainly think intelligence has to do with a person's REACTIONS/DECISIONS toward every-day life situations...</p>

<p>here is dictionary.com's def:</p>

<p>"The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.
The faculty of thought and reason. "</p>

<p>that is true, like what would you do in a situation where you have to decide by a friend taking advantage of you?</p>

<p>or what would your initiative be were things to get messed up at your bank w/your account?</p>

<p>or how would you solve the problem if both you and your spouse were not living happily together?</p>

<p>....too confusing to determine what "measures" intelligence...but stuff from this nature, i think, is what illustrates one's knowledge..</p>

14

<p>The ability to understand something.</p>

15

<p>I second kinglin's definition. It states in a succinct and meaningful manner all the various types of intelligence there are.</p>