Intelligence is a mental ability to learn from experience, tackle issues and use knowledge to adapt to new situations (Myers & DeWall, 2019). According to a single intelligence hypothesis, there is a component known as the factor g that may access intelligence of a person (Myers & DeWall, 2019). This component may be tested using an IQ test and is said to be positively associated to one’s life success. A single intelligence theory contradicts to the multiple intelligence theory. It states that views human intelligence as modalities independent of each other (Myers & DeWall, 2019). The theory considers a person to have individual needs in learning and functioning in society. As opposed to a single intelligence, it does not rely on an IQ test. In addition, it supports the idea that one can be better in some fields than others.
Aside from these theories, there is the concept of emotional intelligence. This is the ability to understand and manage emotions and other people around. For example, a person can identify why he is experiencing anger and does not act upon emotions. Intelligence is a topic of scholarly debate for centuries as well as its testing methods. The first testing was created by Binet and Simon in 1904. People were asked to complete questions about logical reasoning, finding rhyming words and naming objects (Myers & DeWall, 2019). The current state of intelligence testing is not far away from the original one. Yet it includes more aspects of logical reasoning and math.
Intelligence is difficult to examine as it may be defined and quantified in a variety of ways. Many studies have been undertaken to hunt for genes that impact IQ. Such research has concentrated on IQ parallels and differences within families. They have focused on adopted children and twins as controlled factors. As a result, genetic variables account for almost half of the variability in IQ across individuals (Myers & DeWall, 2019). It means that there is some correlation between genetics and intelligence. However, there is still a need for new case studies and research. Therefore, the question of heritability of intelligence remains open for discussion.
References
Myers, D. G., & DeWall, N. C. (2018). Exploring Psychology (Eleventh ed.). Worth Publishers.