Cognition and intelligence are two related terms related to human and animal mental processes. According to the dictionary, cognition is a “form of awareness, such as perceiving, conceiving, remembering, reasoning, judging, imagining, and problem-solving” (APA, 2015, p. 201). Intelligence is defined as the “ability to derive information, learn from experience, adapt to the environment, understand, and correctly utilize thought and reason” (APA, 2015, p. 548). It means that cognition is an umbrella term for all mental processes, while intelligence refers more to the brain’s capacity and the level of its performance.
Throughout history, people tried to understand how to measure intelligence and if any common factors influence the level of intelligence. Intelligence tests were created first for the children to gauge if they have learning capabilities appropriate for their age and what cognitive problems they might have. In some way, intelligence tests effectively measure different types of intelligence; there is reasoning and data to believe that such a thing as general intelligence exists. However, intelligence testing has been problematic and used in politics to categorize people and deprive them of their reproductive rights or skills. The effectiveness of the test is still arguable because such things as education, healthcare, and even nutrition can influence the intelligence test performance of one person throughout life.
Hence, intelligence tests can measure problem-solving skills and reasoning, but it is not the same as intelligence level in general. It is tricky because intelligence can have different concepts for various cultures, professions, or skill sets. To improve testing methods, psychologists can research them to find cultural and gender biases because they can affect results for different groups. It might be worth promoting different types of testing for various skill sets that would lower social division and a sense of superiority or inferiority. Nevertheless, it is important to work on tests, as they can provide valuable information about cognitive strengths and weaknesses and be used to correct personal development.
References
American Psychological Association. (2015). APA college dictionary of psychology. American Psychological Association.