What is Intelligence?

The concept of intelligence is not generally considered to be controversial. However, it is an idea that can be very tricky to define. Different psychologists have come up with several different theories to answer the question "What is intelligence?", and, though they overlap, there is no universally accepted definition. Additionally, because it is difficult to quantitatively measure intelligence, the connotation of the word “intelligence” must be taken into account in the definition. A possible definition of intelligence is "the ability to excel in a certain area that involves rational thought." Because excellence is subjective, it is important to note that this definition requires that a comparison be used. For instance, an intelligent person is someone who excels above the norm in a certain subject or area involving rational thought. A dolphin is very intelligent in the realm of other animals, but a specific dolphin might not be intelligent compared to other dolphins.

The question of how to define intelligence is not new. Psychologists have been working for years to determine a way to categorize, measure, and define intelligence, and there are several theories that have stood out. The first widely known theory was developed by the British psychologist Charles Spearman, who was born in 1863. After conducting tests that measured subjects' mental abilities, "he concluded that intelligence is general cognitive ability that could be measured and numerically expressed" (Cherry). His theory is known as general intelligence. The "dictionary.com" definitions of intelligence include the "capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts,...

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...00 signs in sign language, and refers to himself as "Orangutan Person," whereas other, less sophisticated orangutans receive the label of "orange dog" (Antonetta, 2005). This shows a linguistic (verbal) intelligence and an introspective intelligence that significantly exceeds the currently known abilities of the majority of animals. To determine whether or not Chantek is intelligent compared to other orangutans, research would have to be done to test the cognitive abilities of many other apes.

Works Cited

http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/6474/

http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/152/

http://www.aboutintelligence.co.uk/the-theory-multiple-intelligences.html

http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/p/intelligence.htm

dictionary.com

http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologicaltesting/a/int-history.htm