Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
The termIQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a score on a test that measures an individual’s cognitive ability in comparison to the general population. IQ tests use a standardized scale with 100 as the median score. The following table shows roughly how the scores reflect intelligence.
Score in the test | Level of intelligence |
90-100 >130 <70 | Average or normal Exceptionally high Very poor or retarded |
When children are given the test, their age and background is taken into account. IQ scores tend to remain stable. Repeated practice makes no significant difference to scores.
IQ tests are designed to measure general ability to solve problems and understand concepts. These in turninclude reasoningability,problem-solving ability,and ability to perceive relationships between things and ability to store and retrieve information. IQ tests measure various aspects of general intellectual ability from diverse angles. They usually focus on:
Ability | Main component |
Spatial | Visualize/ manipulate shapes |
Mathematical | Solve problems and use logic |
Language or linguistic | Completesentences orrecognisewords in which letters are removed or rearranged |
Memory | Recall visuals shown or things spoken |
Questions in each of these categories measure a specific cognitive ability. Some psychologists believe that each category also reflects general intellectual ability.
For over hundred years, intelligence meant only the scores of intelligence tests. They were considered adequate measures of human intelligence. Intelligence meaning cognitive skills as shown by IQ was considered an innate unalterable natural endowment. Being naturally given, it is a fixed quality; study and industry may increase the absorption of information, but make no difference to one’s native intelligence. Practice at best may increase the speed of acquisition and manipulation of information.
During World War I, the intelligence tests which the Stanford psychologist Lewis Terman developed were extensively used in army recruitment. They created the IQ way of thinking. Intelligence was seen as one dimensional or as a monolithic quality. Even now, Scholastic Aptitude Test used to admit students to prestigious or Ivy League Americanuniversities, is a test of intellectual skills. This is also true of other educational tests like GRE and GMAT.
Seven Varieties of Intelligence
Howard Gardner, a famous educational psychologist working at Harvard University, questioned the conventional method of measuringintelligence as a single,one-dimensional skill and as the only golden key to success in life. He spoke of multiple intelligences, and included emotional qualities which lead to success in professions and life as among the components of ‘intelligence’. This is a
radical departure from earlier approaches which conceived intelligence (comprising mathematical, logical and linguistic skills) as a purely cerebral quality.
Howard Gardener outlined his views in Frames of Mind. He mentions that a single type of intelligence is inadequate for success in life. He goes on to identify seven varieties of intelligence including the usually recognised intellectual skills. We show them in the following table.
Type of intelligence | Related activity | Great practitioners |
Mathematical/logical | Solving structured problems | Newton, Gauss, Russell, Einstein, Raman |
Linguistic | Literature | Milton, James Joyce and Goethe, Tagore |
Spatial visualization | Painting, architecture and artistic design | Raphael, Michelangelo, Louis Corbusier |
Kinaesthetic genius | Physical fluidity and grace as in classical dance and Olympic gymnastics | Larisa Latynina, Anna Pavlova, Birju Maharaj |
Musical | Great classical musical compositions of West and East | Mozart, Beethoven, Tansen, Thyagaraja |
Interpersonal intelligence | Interpersonal skills of great leaders | Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln |
Intrapersonal | Great insights into human psyche; | Sigmund Freud, |
intelligence | and finding inner peace through | Au robindo, Buddha |
adapting oneself to one’s | ||
true feelings |
We have deliberately cited men of great eminence to give striking examples and fix the ideas in the minds of students. There are many common people who embody similar skills starting from humble teachers to struggling but dutiful housewives. The main point to note is the way in which Howard Gardener expands the concept of intelligence. He includes in intelligence talents that lead to cultural activities such as literature, art, music, painting and architectural design. He also includes talents involved in sports and games. Finally, he adds interpersonal skills or social skills and the insights men gain by looking into themselves and the mental feelings of others. Emotional intelligence refers mainly to “personal intelligences” that help in getting along well with people and in prudently ordering one’s life.
We will now further elaborate the concepts used in explaining emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman explains emotional intelligence as consisting of “abilities such as being able to motivate oneself and persist in the face of frustrations; to control impulse and delay gratification; to regulate one’s moods and keep distress from swamping the ability to think; to empathize and hope.” We can regard these as positive qualities which help us in steadfastly pursuing goals which ultimatelylead to success and happiness. Except empathy, the other qualities are directed towards one’s own self. Before proceeding further, we will illustrate these ideas with simple examples.