Best and Worst Theory of Intelligence Discussion

Theories of Intelligence Discussion

Intelligence is the cognitive ability which allows an individual to learn, think, experience, and adapt successfully to the world. Low intelligence, is lack of. As our textbook refers to the girl who crawled through the window and could’ve exposed herself to the gunman, she lacked common sense and problem solving. She was not able to work under pressure and her thought process was delayed. Our textbook referred to the friends who decided to get far away as possible from the gun shots, clearly had common sense. They could understand and assess the situation immediately and possessed the ability to make a reasonable, logical, and critical decision to leave the situation immediately.

After reading the different theories of intelligence, I personally like the triarchic theory. I really like how this theory is broken down into three parts: practical, creative, and analytical intelligence. Each group offer broad spectrums and isn’t specific. Everyone has their own type of intelligence and this theory is a great way to determine without breaking down to the “T.” I look at my team members at work and each person offers a different strength to our team, because we all have different intelligences. We have those with practical intelligence, who are street smart and understand common sense; we have those with creative intelligence, who are great with problem solving through innovative and imaginative skills; we have those with analytical intelligence, who are great at problem solving and computation.

In my opinion, the worst is the newest theory, multiple intelligences. While I understand Gardner’s, theory needs additional research and may broaden (or maybe not), I feel it leaves a large variety of people out. I see the breakdowns and question, am I not intelligent? Nor my husband? Because neither of us fall into one of these categories. Sure, I have some characteristics of the different types, but nothing substantial. My strength? Project management, time management, budgeting, etc. My husband used to be a small engine mechanic. Motorcycles, lawn mowers, four wheelers, etc., all speak his language. He is the smartest person when it comes to this subject and can understand what the issue is immediately. On Gardner’s theory, his strengths do not fall in a category, but in triarchic theory, he falls in the practical intelligence.