Types of Intelligence

Types of Intelligence

The meaning of intelligence is a concept that varies across cultures and ideologies. According to psychologists “intelligence is the capacity to understand the world, think rationally, and use resources effectively when faced with challenges.” (Feldman, R. S. 2010). Due to the different types of human capabilities, there are different types of human intelligence. Some intelligence is expressed mentally as in existential, intrapersonal, and spatial intelligences.

Existential intelligence is the capacity and inclination to consider and question philosophically. People with this type of intelligence are very comfortable with concepts like the meaning of life, the purpose of death, and other realities. Intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to know one’s self well, seemingly without effort. People with this type of intelligence are considered to be well-grounded. It is not that these people do not have problems and difficulties; yet when difficulties arise they know where to obtain help. Spatial intelligence is the ability to successfully traverse open spaces, and terrains mentally without benefit of extraneous assistance. Expert chess players and artists have this type of intelligence in modern societies; although in non-industrial cultures those that possess this type of intelligence plot the course for their societies’ hunting and fishing activities.

There is a physical type of intelligence. When I think of physical intelligence the mental picture I have is of an Olympic figure skater, with their leg extended while spinning in a circle. The spinning is not what impresses me, I believe practice makes perfect; I am impressed when they stop spinning and don’t fall down from dizziness. This bodily capabil...

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...icture was a plate; the correct answer was a saucer. Without a reference of scale I was unable to answer correctly. Being African-American it may have been assumed that saucers were not a part of my environment, when the resource was not provided. According to psychologists “intelligence is the capacity to understand the world, think rationally, and use resources effectively when faced with challenges.” (Feldman, R. S. 2010). This must be used to create effective testing.

References

Feldman, R. S. (2010) Psychology and your life Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2009 from

www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/education/ed_mi_overview.html.

Bommarito, N. (n.d.). Cultural bias in standardized intelligence testing.

Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.nicbommarito.com/writing/nonfiction/anthroiq.pdf.