Theories of Intelligence & MeritTrac Tests

This Post is Authored by Chakradhar (During migration the authors name could not be migrated)

Intelligence is a general cognitive skill. It is the mental capacity to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend ideas, comprehend language and learn. The theories on measuring intelligence have evolved over a period of time.

In 1904 an English psychologist, Charles Spearman, proposed that intellectual abilities comprise two factors. The first one is general ability or common ability known as ‘g’ factor and the second is a group of specific abilities known as ‘s’ factor. ‘g’ factor is an inborn ability that is beyond content and facts. Whereas ‘s’ factor is acquired from the environment.

In the 1980s, Robert.J.Sternberg, presented Spearman’s theory in a more comprehensive way by basing his theory on relationship between intelligence and experience, the external world and the internal world of an individual and he called this the Triarchic Theory which has three facets. The three facets being

Ø Analytical (Componential)- ability which measures academic problem solving skills
Ø Creative (Experimental) – ability that allows individuals to think creatively and adjust creatively and effectively to new situations,
Ø Practical (Contextual) – relates to people’s ability to adapt to, select, and shape their real-world environment.

Howard Gardner put forth a new and different view of the human intellect, through the theory of multiple intelligences. His theory incorporates both ‘g’ and ‘s’ factors proposed by Spearman. The multiple intelligence theory has eight constructs.

Ø Visual/Spatial – Ability to visualize an object and create mental images, deals with visual arts, navigation, architecture and certain games like chess.

Ø Verbal/Linguistic – Ability to listen, speak, read and write.

Ø Musical/Rhythmic – Ability to recognize tonal patterns, rhythm and beat, it includes sensitivity to environmental sounds, the human voice and musical instruments.

Ø Logical/Mathematical – Ability deals with how well a person can use logic, numbers and relationships, also involves ability to recognize patterns, to work with geometric shapes and make logical connections between pieces of information.

Ø Bodily/Kinesthetic – related to physical movement and the knowledge of the body and how it functions. Interpersonal – Ability to communicate with others and to have empathy for their feelings and beliefs.

Ø Interpersonal intelligence involves understanding others and acting on that understanding .

Ø Intrapersonal - knowing self, emotional responses and self-reflection.

MeritTrac’s Abilities tests are based on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. These tests assess the candidate's Logical/Analytical Ability and Mathematical/ Quantitative Ability. Both Logical/Analytical and Numerical Ability assess the ‘g’ factor or the inborn abilities. Mathematical/Quantitative Ability assesses the ‘s’ factor or basic knowledge along with higher levels of mathematics.