A proposed definition of intelligence
Intelligence is:
- a ubiquitous individual difference
- a hypothetical construct
- reflected in a variety of behaviours
which demonstrate a cognitive capacity
for:
- thinking and reasoning
- learning and adapting
Also see - Student
definitions of intelligence
Classic definitions of intelligence
- "The ability to carry out abstract
thinking."
(Terman, 1921)
- "The capacity for knowledge, and
knowledge possessed."
(Henmon, 1921)
- "The capacity to learn or to profit by
experience."
(Dearborn, 1921)
- "The capacity to acquire capacity."
(Woodrow, 1921)
- "Intelligence is what is measured by
intelligence tests."
(Boring, 1923)
- "A global concept that involves an
individual's ability to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal
effectively with the environment."
(Wechsler, 1958)
- "Intelligence is a general factor that
runs through all types of performance."
(Jensen)
- "A person possesses intelligence
insofar as he had learned, or can learn, to adjust himself to his
environment."
(Colvin, cited in Sternberg, 1982, p.30)
- "Intelligence is adaption to the
environment."
(unknown)
- "Intelligence is that faculty of mind
by which order is perceived in a situation previously considered
disordered."
(R.W. Young, cited in Kurzweil, 1999)
- "Intelligent activity consists of
grasping the essentials in a given situation and responding
appropriately to them."
(unknown)
- "Intelligence is the ability to use
optimally limited resources - including time - to achieve goals."
(Kurzweil,
1999)
- "Intelligence is what you do when you
don't know what to do."
(unknown)
- "Intelligence is a hypothetical idea
which we have defined as being reflected by certain types of behaviour."
(unknown)
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