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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

B.) INTELLIGENCE AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

4) Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory

Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory is based on the belief that “traditional psychometric views
of intelligence are too limited.” He first outlined the theory of multiple intelligences in 1983 when he
published Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. In his book, he discusses eight different
intelligences as well as a possible ninth intelligence known as “existentialist intelligence.”

The eight different categories of Gardner’s multiple intelligences are:

o Musical-Rhythmic
o Visual-Spatial
o Verbal-Linguistic
o Logical-Mathematical
o Bodily-Kinesthetic
o Interpersonal
o Intrapersonal
o Naturalistic Intelligence
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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

Musical-Rhythmic

Those with strong musical-rhythmic intelligence are really good at pinpointing patterns,
especially among different types of sound. They often think in patterns and rhythms and tend
to excel in musical composition and have the ability to play musical instruments really well.
They also have a strong ability to remember songs and melodies.

Visual-Spatial

People with strong visual-spatial intelligence are really good at visualizing. They tend
to have a good sense of direction and will likely succeed in marketing because of their ability to
bring life to marketing messages through the use of visuals. Let’s say your brand conducts
market research on the ways your customers use your product. A person with strong visual-
spatial intelligence can take your market research and use it to build an effective infographic.
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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

Those with this type of intelligence tend to enjoy writing and reading and are good at putting
puzzles together. They also excel in being able to simplify complex information.
Verbal-Linguistic

A person with strong linguistic-verbal intelligence excels in writing and reading. They
tend to use fancy words when writing and speaking and are really good at memorizing
information, which makes them good at taking tests. If you have strong linguistic-verbal
intelligence, you’re probably good at debating because of your ability to give persuasive
speeches. Your persuasiveness capabilities, along with your ability to explain things really well,
would make you a great marketer or lawyer.

Bodily-Kinesthetic

Those with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are really good at physical activity
because of their enhanced physical control capabilities. They usually excel in dancing and
sports. They also tend to be hands-on and enjoy creating things. As far as memory recall, those
with this intelligence tend to learn better by doing rather than hearing or seeing.

Interpersonal

If you empathize and relate with others really well, then you probably have strong
interpersonal intelligence. You’re most likely really skilled at nonverbal communications, and
you do well with understanding the intentions of those around you. Counselors, salespeople,
politicians, and philosophers usually have strong interpersonal intelligence.

Intrapersonal

Those with strong intrapersonal intelligence do a lot of self-reflecting. They are

extremely aware of their emotional state as well as what motivates them to behave the way
they do. Characteristics of those with strong intrapersonal intelligence include daydreaming,
assessing personal strengths, exploring theories, and always having a good understanding of
why they feel a certain way.

Naturalistic Intelligence

Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory didn’t always include naturalistic

intelligence. This intelligence category has endured much resistance from others. Those with
strong naturalistic intelligence are said to be incredibly in tune with their surroundings and like
exploring nature. They notice even the smallest of changes in their environment and have no
desire to study topics that don’t relate to nature or what is going on around them.
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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

5) Triarchic Theory of Intelligence (Sternberg)

The triarchic theory of intelligence proposes that there are three distinct types of
intelligence: practical, distinct, and analytical. It was formulated by Robert J. Sternberg, a well-
known psychologist whose research often focuses on human intelligence and creativity.

The triarchic theory is comprised of three sub-theories, each of which relates to a

specific kind of intelligence: the contextual sub-theory, which corresponds to practical
intelligence, or the ability to successfully function in one’s environment; the experiential sub-
theory, which corresponds to creative intelligence, or the ability to deal with novel situations or
issues; and the componential sub-theory, which corresponds to analytical intelligence, or the
ability to solve problems.

Origins

Sternberg proposed his theory in 1985 as an alternative to the idea of the general
intelligence factor. The general intelligence factor, also known as g, is what intelligence tests
typically measure. It refers only to “academic intelligence.”

Sternberg argued that practical intelligence—a person’s ability to react and adapt to the
world around them—as well as creativity are equally important when measuring an individual's
overall intelligence. He also argued that intelligence isn’t fixed, but rather comprises a set of
abilities that can be developed. Sternberg's assertions led to the creation of his theory.

Sub-theories

Sternberg broke his theory down into the following three sub-theories:
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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

Contextual sub-theory: The contextual sub-theory says that intelligence is intertwined

with the individual’s environment. Thus, intelligence is based on the way one functions in their
everyday circumstances, including one’s ability to a) adapt to one’s environment, b) select the
best environment for oneself, or c) shape the environment to better fit one’s needs and desires.

Experiential sub-theory: The experiential sub-theory proposes that there is a

continuum of experience from novel to automation to which intelligence can be applied. It’s at
the extremes of this continuum that intelligence is best demonstrated. At the novel end of the
spectrum, an individual is confronted with an unfamiliar task or situation and must come up
with a way to deal with it. At the automation end of the spectrum, one has become familiar
with a given task or situation and can now handle it with minimal thought.

Componential sub-theory: The componential theory outlines the various mechanisms

that result in intelligence. According to Sternberg, this sub-theory is comprised of three kinds of
mental processes or components:

Metacomponents enable us to monitor, control, and evaluate our mental processing, so

that we can make decisions, solve problems, and create plans.
Performance components are what enable us to take action on the plans and decisions
arrived at by the metacomponents.
Knowledge-acquisition components enable us to learn new information that will help us
carry out our plans.

Kinds of Intelligence

Each sub-theory reflects a particular kind of intelligence or ability:

Practical intelligence: Sternberg called one’s ability to successfully interact with the
everyday world practical intelligence. Practical intelligence is related to the contextual sub-
theory. Practically intelligent people are especially adept at behaving in successful ways in their
external environment.

Creative intelligence: The experiential sub-theory is related to creative intelligence,

which is one’s ability to use existing knowledge to create new ways to handle new problems or
cope in new situations.

Analytical intelligence: The componential sub-theory is related to analytical intelligence,

which is essentially academic intelligence. Analytical intelligence is used to solve problems and
is the kind of intelligence that is measured by a standard IQ test.

Sternberg observed that all three kinds of intelligence are necessary for successful intelligence,
which refers to the ability to be successful in life based on one’s abilities, personal desires, and
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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

environment.

6) Cognitive Information Processing Theory (Atkinson and Shiffrin)

Information processing theory is a cognitive theory that uses computer processing as a

metaphor for the workings of the human brain. Initially proposed by George A. Miller and other
American psychologists in the 1950s, the theory describes how people focus on information
and
encode it into their memories.

Atkinson and Shiffrin’s Stage Theory

In 1968, Atkinson and Shiffrin developed the stage theory model. The model was later modified
by other researchers but the basic outline of stage theory continues to be a cornerstone of
information processing theory. The model concerns how information is stored in memory and
presents a sequence of three stages, as follows:

Sensory Memory — Sensory memory involves whatever we take in through our

senses. This kind of memory is exceedingly brief, only lasting up to 3 seconds. In order for
something to enter sensory memory, the individual has to pay attention to it. Sensory memory
can’t attend to every piece of information in the environment, so it filters out what it deems
irrelevant and only send what seems important to the next stage, short-term memory. The
information that’s most likely to reach the next stage is either interesting or familiar.
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Unit 3: Cognitive Development

Short-Term Memory/Working Memory — Once information reaches short-term

memory, which is also called working memory, it is filtered further. Once again, this kind of
memory doesn’t last long, only about 15 to 20 seconds. However, if information is repeated,
which is referred to as maintenance rehearsal, it can be stored for up to 20 minutes. As
observed by Miller, working memory’s capacity is limited so it can only process a certain
number of pieces of information at a time. How many pieces is not agreed on, although many
still point to Miller to identify the number as five to nine.

There are several factors that will impact what and how much information will be processed in
working memory. Cognitive load capacity varies from person to person and from moment to
moment based on an individual’s cognitive abilities, the amount of information being
processed, and one's ability to focus and pay attention. Also, information that is familiar and
has often been repeated doesn’t require as much cognitive capacity and, therefore, will be
easier to process.

For example, riding a bike or driving a car take minimal cognitive load if you’ve performed these
tasks numerous times. Finally, people will pay more attention to information they believe is
important, so that information is more likely to be processed. For example, if a student is
preparing for a test, they are more likely to attend to information that will be on the test and
forget about information they don’t believe they will be asked about.

Long-Term Memory — Although short-term memory has a limited capacity, the

capacity of long-term memory is thought to be limitless. Several different types of information
are encoded and organized in long-term memory: declarative information, which is information
that can be discussed such as facts, concepts, and ideas (semantic memory) and personal
experiences (episodic memory); procedural information, which is information about how to do
something like drive a car or brush your teeth; and imagery, which are mental pictures.

References:

Retrieved from: https://infographicworld.com/gardners-multiple-intelligences-theory/

Vinney, Cynthia. (2020, August 27). Understanding the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/triarchic-theory-of-intelligence-4172497

Vinney, Cynthia. (2020, August 29). Information Processing Theory: Definition and Examples.
Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/information-processing-theory-definition-and-
examples-4797966