In the study of human psychology, the concept of intelligence has long been an area that has been regarded as one of considerable importance. As such, psychologists have, over time, developed various practices for measuring, analyzing, and interpreting our intelligence.
But what is intelligence exactly? And, what are the specific methodologies psychologists have developed to measure and interpret it?
Let's explore.
Defining Intelligence: What Is It Exactly?
So, what is intelligence? And how exactly do we determine what it is?
Essentially, intelligence can be defined as an individual's ability to conceptualize, analyze, and overcome issues, situations, and challenges they come across and are faced with resolving. It can also be described as a person's ability to learn, adapt, and evolve.
Of course, intelligence is a somewhat subjective concept, and some may argue that it results from a combination of life experience, as well as their environment, and, indeed, exposure. Interestingly, there is also the persuasion that intelligence is subject to the notion of nature versus nurture.
Now, it can be said that individuals who have performed well academically nurtured their intelligence with advanced learning, like studying postgraduate psychology or business, are considered by some to be, as a result, more intelligent than others.
On the other hand, it can also be argued that intelligence is innate and that it comes naturally to certain individuals—that is to say, it is a personal trait that we are born with. It could, perhaps, even be the result of good genetics. For decades, researchers and scientists have been searching and studying families to see if intelligence runs in the genes, focusing in particular on siblings like adopted kids or twins. Some have even scanned our entire genetic blueprint to see if any specific bits link with IQ. While it's clear our genes do have a say in our intelligence, no study has pinpointed a so-called "smart gene."
So, to answer the question of whether human intelligence is shaped by nature or nurture, it's more likely that many genes play small parts. And when you think about aspects of intelligence, like memory or verbal skills, even more genes might come into play. Simply put, the quest to decode the genetics of intelligence is still very much on.
Measuring Intelligence: How Is This Done?
There are many different ways in which psychologists measure intelligence. One of the most commonly known methods is often referred to as an IQ test.
But what is an IQ test? To clarify, IQ or Intelligence Quotient tests are performed to identify, assess, and measure an individual's cognitive and intellectual abilities. The argument is that this helps to ascertain, essentially, how intelligent a person is.
As part of an IQ test, the individual will be subjected to a range of different cognitive assessments, including testing their:
Mathematical Skills
Language Abilities
Spatial Perception
Memory and Observation Skills
Critical Thinking
Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities
At the end of the IQ test, the individual will be provided with a numerical score. This number is deemed as their level of IQ. A high IQ score—which is considered to signify that the individual in question possesses a high level of intelligence—is generally a score of 130 and above. On the lower end of the scale, an IQ score of below 69 would indicate the opposite.
Of course, like any form of scientific study, there has been some contention in terms of the validity of the traditional Intelligence Quotient test. Namely, some would argue that IQ tests are limited in their findings and that they are not able to measure the variety of different forms of human intelligence that exist. These include concepts such as emotional intelligence, for example. Further to this, there is also the argument that IQ tests can be misinterpreted and that they are not always accurate.
Psychology and Interpretations of Intelligence: Is Intelligence Innate or Learned?
One of the biggest issues that psychology attempts to unpack in the study of human intelligence is how intelligence can be interpreted. But, in terms of interpreting intelligence—is intelligence innate or learned? To be fair, there are arguments for and against both camps:
Intelligence Is Innate
A significant factor in the argument that intelligence is innate—something we are born with—is the assertion that our level of intelligence is determined by our genetics. Arguments for this camp would suggest that how intelligent people are is directly influenced by our genes. That is to say, the IQ of our parents and grandparents is a major factor in how brainy we are ourselves!
Intelligence Is Learned
On the other hand, others would argue that intelligence is a product of our environment. This ties into the 'nature versus nurture' argument, whereby an individual's life experience and exposure to certain situations will influence who they are as a person.
Either way, irrespective of whether intelligence is innate or learned, it simply cannot be argued that some individuals are, on the whole, considered to be more intelligent than others! Of course, how we measure intelligence is important, and the result of an Intelligence Quotient test can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of an individual's life path, goals, and, ultimately, their achievements.
Perhaps intelligence is an area of human psychology that we have yet to understand completely. It might, then, even be suggested that psychologists still have a great deal of room to improve in terms of analyzing, measuring, and interpreting intelligence.
