General Intelligence Essay

Based off definition from our Psychology textbook, general intelligence, also known as (g), is a factor that according to Spearman and others under lies specific mental abilities and is therefore measured by every task on an intelligence test. It refers to the existence of general intelligence that influences performance on mental ability measures. (psychology.about.com)

General intelligence, also known as (g), is a factor that, according to Spearman and others, causes specific mental abilities and is measured by every task on an intelligence test. It refers to the existence of general intelligence that influences performance on mental ability measures.

Charles Spearman is a British psychologist that first described the existence of general intelligence in 1904. He used a special technique, factor analysis, to examine many aptitude tests where he found that scores on tests were very similar. Factor analysis is a statistical process that classifies clusters of related items, or factors, on a test. It is used to identify different sizes of performance that causes one’s total score. People that perform well on cognitive tests perform very well on other tests, while those scoring bad tend to score bad on others. Spearman concluded that intelligence is just a general cognitive ability which can be measured and numerically expressed.

General intelligence is also the ability to think about ideas, analyze situations, and solve problems. It is measured through various types of intelligence tests. Currently, psychologists have identified several types of mental abilities that make up intelligence. These theories are most important because they encourage teachers to look for methods that reach their students’ natural strengths, recognize ...

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...hrough art. I have been drawing since I was a kid and I have sculpted before. It takes precision and accuracy to fully reach our maximum potential to what our art and sculptures want to look like. It takes a lot of time and concentration to apply ourselves. I think sculpting and artistry involves this intelligence because we have to be able to be coordinated, control our bodily motions, be sensitive to touch, and work well with our hands. These are all common characteristics and physical based skills that individuals with this type of intelligence can have.

I do think enjoying the outdoors exhibits bodily kinesthetic intelligence because people with this intelligence like to explore, figure out new things, and find new innovative ways to do something. These types of people are very active and like to do more than just the usual norm. It involves movement and skill.