INTELLIGENCE
Every person in the world differs from others in many qualities, such as complexion, height, body structure, nature, religion, and caste, among others. Differences can be observed among individuals in terms of physical, social, and psychological qualities and abilities. The differences between children are visible at birth, and as they grow older, these differences become more pronounced.
There are 3 aspects of intelligence which shows the difference in a child’s ability to understand a subject is often considered a difference in intelligence.
It is crucial to study intellectual differences among students because the education system is planned and implemented based on these differences.
Aspects of Intelligence Study
Intelligence is studied through 3 aspects of intelligence:
1. Functional Aspect of Intelligence
Under this aspect, the functions of intelligence are studied, providing an answer to what intelligence is.
2. Structural Aspect of Intelligence
The structural aspect of intelligence includes the structure of intelligence, its principles, and factors influencing it.
3. Operational Aspect of Intelligence
The operational aspect of intelligence involves the measurement of intelligence. IQ measurement, intelligence tests, and technical descriptions (experiments) are conducted under this aspect.
Concept of Intelligence:
Generally, we call some people sharp-minded, some people average-minded, and some people with low intelligence. Generally, in answer to what is intelligence, people try to understand the meaning of intelligence through synonyms of intelligence, knowledge, understanding, ability, superiority, etc.
In the last 100 years, a lot of thought and contemplation has been done on the concept of intelligence, yet a universally accepted answer to what intelligence is has not been found. Just as honesty is reflected in the behaviour of an honest person, similarly intelligence or wisdom is reflected in the behaviour of an intelligent person.
It is clear from this that intelligence is not concrete but intangible, which can be felt through the behaviour of a person.
What is intelligence? This is a question on which psychologists have always been divided.
From the first successful intelligence test made by Binet in 1905 till now, many views have been put forward regarding intelligence. In 1921, the Journal of Educational Psychology published a series of articles written by 14 prominent psychologists regarding the nature of intelligence.
Although there was some agreement regarding intelligence, yet 14 slightly different concepts emerged from these articles. Some saw and understood intelligence as adaptive nature, some as ability to learn, some as ability to think abstractly, and some saw and understood intelligence as the degree of past learning.
Freeman analyzed many definitions of intelligence and said that definitions of intelligence can be divided into three categories.
1. Intelligence as an ability to adjust: (First category of definition)
According to these definitions, intelligence is the general mental ability to adapt and adjust to different situations and new problems that arise in life.
According to Burt, “Intelligence is the innate capacity to adapt relatively to new situations.” The definitions given by Stern and Cruz also belong to the same category.
2. Intelligence as an ability to learn: (Second class definition)
In these definitions, intelligence has been defined as the ability to learn. According to this definition, intelligence is the ability to acquire new knowledge quickly and comprehensively.
According to Buckingham, “Intelligence is the ability to learn.” Dearborn’s definition also falls into this category.
3. Intelligence as an ability to think abstractly:
This type of definition defines intelligence as the ability to think abstractly. Binet’s definition falls into this category. According to Binet, intelligence can be expressed as inquisitiveness based on perception, which is indicated by proper reasoning and proper decision-making.
Tan’s definition, “Intelligence may be characterised as inventiveness dependent upon comprehension and marked by purposefulness and correctness,” also belongs to this category.
Comprehensive Definition of Intelligence:
This type of definition was presented by Wechsler (D. Wechsler): “Intelligence is a person’s ability to act purposefully, think logically, and interact effectively with the environment.”
Alternatively, he defined it as “the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with his environment.” The definitions of Robinson and Robinson and Stoddard belong to this category.
Jean Piaget has described intelligence as a process of adaptation to the environment.
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