CampusDownWiki CampusDown ↗
English

Theories of Intelligence

🧠 Psychology By CampusDown Wiki Editorial Team Last updated
Quick answer: intelligence is a general mental capability involving reasoning, problem solving, abstract thinking and learning quickly from experience. Theories differ on whether it is one general ability (g) or a set of distinct abilities.
Contents
  1. 1. Defining intelligence
  2. 2. The start of measurement: Binet
  3. 3. Major theories
  4. 4. Debates
  5. 5. References

Defining intelligence

Definitions vary. The 1994 statement "Mainstream Science on Intelligence," signed by 52 researchers (published in Gottfredson, 1997), described it as "a very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience." An American Psychological Association task force (Neisser et al., 1996) also reviewed knowns and unknowns.

The start of measurement: Binet

Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon built the first practical intelligence test in 1905 to identify children needing educational support. Terman's Stanford-Binet and the Wechsler scales followed; modern IQ is a deviation score with mean 100 and standard deviation 15.

Major theories

  • Spearman's two-factor theory (1904): a general factor g common to all tasks plus specific factors s.
  • Thurstone's primary mental abilities (1938): verbal comprehension, number, space, perceptual speed, memory, reasoning, word fluency.
  • Cattell and Horn's fluid and crystallized intelligence: fluid ability (Gf) for novel problems and crystallized ability (Gc) as accumulated knowledge; Gf tends to decline in adulthood while Gc is maintained longer.
  • CHC theory: a hierarchical model combining Carroll's (1993) three-stratum theory with Cattell-Horn, now the framework for many tests.
  • Gardner's multiple intelligences (1983): linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic.
  • Sternberg's triarchic theory (1985): analytical, creative and practical intelligence.

Debates

  • Multiple intelligences: popular in schools, but psychometric evidence that the intelligences are independent is limited.
  • Genes and environment: twin studies find heritability higher in adulthood than in childhood.
  • Flynn effect: IQ scores rose about 3 points per decade across many countries in the 20th century (Flynn, 1987).

See also Piaget's cognitive development theory and cognitive theory.

References

  1. Spearman, C. (1904). "General intelligence," objectively determined and measured. American Journal of Psychology, 15(2), 201-292.
  2. Thurstone, L. L. (1938). Primary Mental Abilities. University of Chicago Press.
  3. Carroll, J. B. (1993). Human Cognitive Abilities: A Survey of Factor-Analytic Studies. Cambridge University Press.
  4. Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books.
  5. Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A Triarchic Theory of Human Intelligence. Cambridge University Press.
  6. Neisser, U., et al. (1996). Intelligence: Knowns and unknowns. American Psychologist, 51(2), 77-101.
  7. Gottfredson, L. S. (1997). Mainstream science on intelligence. Intelligence, 24(1), 13-23.
  8. Flynn, J. R. (1987). Massive IQ gains in 14 nations. Psychological Bulletin, 101(2), 171-191.

Reports and materials that use this theory (Korean)

There are no materials dedicated to this theory yet, but you can search related reports in the CampusDown library (Korean).

Find more reports · Search '지능 이론' on CampusDown →
Cognitive TheoryCognitive theory explained: the cognitive revolution against behaviorism, information-processing models and working memory, schemas, Piaget's development theory, Beck's cognitive therapy, educational uses and critiques.🧠 PsychologyPiaget's Theory of Cognitive DevelopmentPiaget's theory of cognitive development explained: schema, assimilation, accommodation, equilibration, the four stages, comparison with Vygotsky, criticisms, and report examples.📚 EducationLearning TheoriesLearning theories compared: behaviorism (Pavlov, Skinner), cognitivism and information processing, constructivism (Piaget, Vygotsky), Bandura's social learning, adult learning and connectivism, with classroom implications.📚 EducationMaslow's Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow's hierarchy of needs explained: definition, the five levels, deficiency vs. growth needs, the pyramid myth, empirical criticisms and limitations, report examples for social work, nursing and business, and references.🧠 Psychology

You may also like

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)Brown v. Board of Education (1954) summary: the case, Chief Justice Warren's unanimous ruling, why 'separate but equal' fell, and what happened after.⚖️ LawIntestate SuccessionWho inherits when someone dies without a will: how U.S. intestacy statutes rank spouses, children and other relatives, how per stirpes works, and how Korea's Civil Act sets heirs, shares and representation.⚖️ LawThe Rule of LawWhat is the rule of law? Its meaning and history from Magna Carta to United States v. Nixon, Dicey and Fuller's principles, and how it differs from rule by law.⚖️ LawCommon Law vs. Civil LawCommon law vs. civil law: how the two legal families differ on sources of law, precedent, trials and judges, and where Korea's mixed system fits between them.⚖️ Law

This article was last updated on October 15, 2026. It is based on widely recognized original works and textbooks; when citing it in a paper, please check the original sources listed in the references.