The True Meaning of Intelligence

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When a person utters the word “intelligence,” people tend to think of a genius like Albert Einstein developing some obscure equation that the great majority of the population will never understand. The problem with the definition of intelligence is that people relate intelligence to words like “genius” which require intelligence but do not have the same definition as intelligence. Often, people try to use related words to define intelligence, but these words are unable to define intelligence since many are only different levels of intelligence. While many definitions try to encompass the meaning of intelligence and various definitions describe a small part of intelligence, no definition completely explains intelligence, because intelligence is a concept that is understood only after realizing that intelligence is based on three basic concepts: logic, growth, and emotion. Although many people believe that humans are the only creatures capable of intelligence, other animals exhibit intelligence and are capable of further demonstrate the complex concept of intelligence.

Although genius is a word that is completely different from intelligence, people often confuse genius with intelligence, because genius is a word that is related to intelligence. Genius is an “extreme degree of creative or other ability, usually demonstrated by exceptional achievements” (APA Dictionary of Psychology: Genius), therefore genius is unable to be used as a proper tool in defining intelligence. As a result of genius being a word of those who possess great intelligence and accomplish notable intellectual achievements, people often confuse the definition of genius with the definition of intelligence. Although genius is a high level of intelligence, g...

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...discover that animals also display intelligence.

Works Cited

"World English Dictionary: Intelligence." Dictionary.com. HarperCollins Publishers, n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .

Castro, Joseph. "Polly-math Parrots Add Sophisticated Reasoning to Their List of Clever Feats." Discover Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing Company, 22 June 2011. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .

Wilford, John N. "Evidence of Chimps' Intelligence Grows." The New York Times. N.p., 18 Apr. 2007. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .

"Genius." APA Dictionary of Psychology. 1st ed. 2007. Print.

"Intelligence." APA Dictionary of Psychology. 1st ed. 2007. Print.

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