What is intelligence?
Intelligence is a person's general ability to solve problems, learn from experience, adapt to new situations and cope successfully with life's challenges. It includes a variety of skills such as logical thinking, creativity, problem-solving ability, communication skills, social intelligence, emotional stability and others.
Intelligence is not only measured in numbers, as is the case with IQ, but also includes a wide range of abilities and qualities that enable an individual to adapt and succeed in different aspects of life.
It is a kind of mental universality that allows us not only to gather and remember information, but also to understand, apply and integrate it into our own reality. Intelligent individuals are distinguished by their ability to solve problems, adapt to different contexts, and create new ideas.
Example: take, for example, two employees in an office facing a new project with complex requirements.
The first employee who exhibits high intelligence quickly realizes the need for new knowledge and skills. He quickly adapts to new requirements, analyses problems and proposes innovative solutions. He is not afraid of the unknown, but rather sees it as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
In comparison, the second employee with lower intelligence may have difficulty adapting to the new demands. He may feel anxious and nervous in the face of challenges and fail to propose effective solutions. He may avoid new situations and feel uncomfortable in conditions of uncertainty.
This example illustrates that intelligence involves not only mental acuity, but also the ability to cope with the unknown, to learn from experience, and to adapt our knowledge and skills to new circumstances. So, at its core, intelligence is like an invisible toolkit that helps us cope with animal challenges.
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Intelligence Quotient (IQ): Intelligence Quotient, or IQ, is a numerical measurement of a person's intellectual ability. This indicator is calculated through standardized tests that measure various aspects of cognitive functions, such as logical thinking, problem-solving ability, language skills, and more.
How it's measured:Standardized IQ tests consist of different types of questions and tasks that assess an individual's cognitive skills. The results are compared to the results of a large group of people of the same age, allowing the relative intelligence of the test subject to be determined.Standardized tests that assess cognitive skills such as logical thinking, mathematical ability, linguistic skills, etc.
Examples: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Raven's Progressive Matrices.
Here you can check what the IQ test will show for YOU
Interpretation of results: the mean IQ in the population was fixed at 100, and the standard deviation was typically 15. So if someone has an IQ of 115, they are one standard deviation above the mean score. Scores below and above the mean are interpreted according to the standard normal distribution curve.
Criticism: Although IQ tests provide useful information about cognitive ability, they do not assess all aspects of human intelligence. Critics of these tests have drawn attention to the fact that they may be perceived as an incomplete indicator of the broad spectrum of intellectual ability and fail to account for cultural and social influences on the measurement of intelligence.
Interestingly, despite criticism, IQ tests remain a widely used tool for measuring intellectual potential, particularly in the context of education and career development.
Multiple Intelligence Theory
Multiple Intelligence Theory proposes differentiating human intelligence into specific intelligences, rather than defining intelligence as one general ability.The theory has been very popular among educators worldwide for 40 years, although it has been criticized by mainstream psychology for its lack of empirical evidence and its dependence on subjective judgment.
Types of intelligence
According to Gardner, there are 9 types of intelligence Logico-mathematical, 2. Linguistic, 3. Visual-spatial, 4. Naturalistic, 5. Musical, 6. Existential, 7. Bodily-kinaesthetic, 8. Interpersonal, 9. Intrapersonal
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Logical-mathematical intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to understand logic, mathematics, and abstract problems.
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Examples: solving mathematical problems, developing logical structures, analyzing cause-effect relationships.
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Linguistic intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to express oneself effectively with words, understanding languages and their use.
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Examples: writing, speaking, translation, literary skills.
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Visual-spatial intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to understand spatial relationships, shapes, and colors.
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Examples: painting, graphic design, architecture, maps and diagrams.
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Naturalistic intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to recognize and classify natural objects and phenomena.
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Examples: biological study, botany, zoology, ecology.
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Musical intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to understand and produce musical sounds and structures.
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Examples: music performance, composition, music theory.
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Existential intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to reflect on the meaning of life, death, and existence.
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Examples: philosophical reflections, spiritual growth, search for life meaning
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Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to express oneself through movement and physical activity.
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Examples: sports, dancing, acting, sleight of hand.
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Interpersonal intelligence:
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Definition : The ability to understand and manage interpersonal interactions.
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Examples: leadership, group learning, mediation, negotiation skills.
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Intrapersonal intelligence:
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Definition: the ability to self-understand, self-control, and manage emotions.
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Examples: meditation, self-projection, introspection.
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The new 4 types of intelligence
1.Emotional Intelligence (EQ):
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Definition: the ability to understand, express, and manage emotions, both one's own and those of others, as well as the ability to use emotional information for personal and social success. Known as "EQ," emotional intelligence involves not only understanding your own and others' emotions, but also the ability to manage them constructively. It also includes the capacity for empathy - to understand and share the emotions of others.
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Examples: empathy, self-management of emotions, recognition of emotional states in self and others.
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How it's measured: Self-assessment, assessment by others, standardized tests of emotional intelligence.
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Examples: the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), the Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI).
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2. Decency quotient and respect for others (DQ):
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- Definition: the ability to create and maintain positive and healthy interpersonal relationships, as well as respect for the differences and needs of others. This type of intelligence reflects social skills and the ability to create harmonious relationships. Additional aspects include respect for individual differences, communicating effectively, and understanding the need for collaboration.
- Examples: Adaptive perception of others' opinions, listening ability, maintaining good interpersonal boundaries.
3. Curiosity Quotient (CQ):
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- Definition: the ability to be open to new ideas, experiences and skills, and to express an active interest and curiosity about the environment. Curiosity in this context is key to learning and development. This includes openness to new ideas, a willingness to experiment and seek new opportunities. Curiosity supports flexibility and a willingness to innovate.
- Examples: seeking new knowledge, participating in a variety of activities, asking questions and exploring new areas.
4. Coping Quotient (AQ):
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- Definition: the ability to cope with challenges, change and unexpected situations, and the ability to learn from difficult situations. This kind of intelligence requires not only solving specific problems, but also the ability to deal with unexpected circumstances and to learn useful lessons from difficult situations. It involves adaptability, strategic thinking and responding to challenges.
- Examples: developing problem-solving strategies, adapting to change, managing stress, viewing failure as a learning opportunity.
When designing your course, it's crucial to consider the diversity of your learners. Each student is unique, possessing different strengths and learning styles that fall into different intelligence categories. To ensure the best learning outcomes, your course needs to be flexible enough to suit all types of intelligence.