What does the cognitive approach assume about intelligence?
-there are many kinds of intelligences and emphasize strategies people use to arrive at solutions to problems
What well-known cognitive theory was devised by Robert Sternberg?
-triarchic theory of intelligence
What is the triarchic theory of intelligence’s definition of intelligence?
-the skills and knowledge needed for success in life, according to one’s own definition of success, within one’s sociocultural context
In the triarchic theory of intelligence, it is broken down into 3 intelligences…
- componential intelligence
- experiential or crearive intelligence
- contextual or practical intelligence
Define: componential intelligence
-information-processing strategies we rely on when thinking intelligently about a problem, selecting a strategy to solve it, mastering and carrying out that strategy, and evaluating the result
What does componential intelligence also rely on?
metacognition
-awareness of one’s cognitive processes and the ability to monitor or control these processes
Students weak in metacognition…
- over-estimate their own abilities
- do not realize difficult subject matter and distribute study time accordingly
Students strong in metacognition…
- use strategies to make sure they have mastered difficult subject matter
- learn better
Why do poor-performing students tend to not realize how little they know?
-because intelligence that enhances academic performance is what helps develop metacognitive skills in the first place
Define: experiential or creative intelligence
-creativity in transferring skills to new situations
People lacking in experiential or creative intelligence…
-perform well only under a narrow set of circumstances
Define: contextual or practical intelligence
-taking context into account when applying intelligence
People with contextual intelligence…
- adapt well to their environment
- know when to change environment/situations
Contextual intelligence allows one to acquire _____ knowledge
-tacit knowledge
Define: tacit knowledge
-strategies for success that are not explicitly taught, but must be inferred
The most important kind of “non-intellectual” smarts may be…
-emotional intelligence
Define: emotional intelligence
ability to:
- identify emotions of yourself and others
- express emotions clearly
- regulate emotions in yourself and others
People with high emotional intelligence “EQ”…
use emotions to:
- motivate themselves
- spur creativity
- deal empathetically with others
People lacking “EQ”…
- fail to identify their own emotions
- express emotions inappropriately
- misread nonverbal signs from others
Some psychologists believe “EQ” is not a cognitive ability, but…
- a collection of ordinary personality traits
- it may have a biological basis
How has broadening the notion of intelligence been helpful to us?
- abilities for a successful life are not solely captured by IQ tests
- attention has been drawn to strategies for teaching children and improving their abilities
- we think more critically about the term “intelligence” and consider how different abilities help us function in our everyday lives
