Triarchic Theory of Intelligence (Robert Sternberg, 1985)

Sternberg defined intelligence as the ability to adapt, shape, and

select the environment to meet personal and societal goals. He
proposed three types of intelligence:
1.Componential (Analytical) Intelligence
2.Experiential (Creative) Intelligence
3.Contextual (Practical) Intelligence
1. Componential (Analytical) Intelligence
• Function: Solving problems through analysis and evaluation.
• Components:
• Knowledge Acquisition: Learning and comparing information (Find stage).
• Metacomponents: Planning, monitoring, evaluating (Analyze & Solve stage).
• Performance Components: Executing the planned actions (Operational skill-
transfer stage).
2. Experiential (Creative) Intelligence
•Function: Solving new problems using past experiences.
•Traits: Creative thinking, innovation, and identifying relevant information.
3. Contextual (Practical) Intelligence
• Function: Adapting to or shaping the environment effectively.
• Examples: Street smarts, business acumen.
• Traits: Flexibility, social adaptation, practical success.
 PASS Model of Intelligence (J.P. Das, Jack Naglieri, Kirby)
PASS = Planning, Attention-Arousal, Simultaneous, Successive Processing
This model is based on the functioning of three brain systems:
1.Arousal and Attention
1. Helps individuals focus on relevant stimuli.
2. Optimal arousal is necessary—too much or too little disrupts attention.
3. Example: Attention increases when a test is announced.
Simultaneous and Successive Processing
• Simultaneous: Integrating information into patterns (e.g., puzzles,
maps).
• Successive: Remembering information in sequence (e.g., spelling,
phone numbers).
Planning
• Involves decision-making, evaluating strategies, and setting goals.
• Essential for problem-solving and self-regulation.
What is IQ? (Intelligence Quotient)
In 1912, German psychologist William Stern gave us the IQ formula:
• IQ = (mental age / chronological age) × 100
🧠 Variations of Intelligence
• Not all people have the same kind of intelligence. Some may need help
with learning, while others are extremely smart and talented.
Intellectual Deficiency (Also called Intellectual Disability)
This means the person has very low intelligence and trouble doing daily life
activities. It happens from childhood and is defined by three main things:
• ❌ Low IQ (way below average)
• ❌ Difficulty in adapting to normal life (like school, job, family life)
• 🧠 Starts in early childhood (not something that happens later in life)
here are different levels based on IQ :

Level IQ Range Support Needed

Can learn and live
Mild 55–70 independently with some
help
Needs special education
Moderate 35–55
and regular support
Needs help in almost all
Severe 20–35
areas of life
Needs full-time care and
Profound Below 20
support
Intellectual Giftedness
This is the opposite of deficiency. These people are extremely smart
and talented.
They have an IQ above 130 and can do amazing things even at a
young age!
There are two related terms:
• Giftedness = Being great in many different areas (like science, math,
art).
• Talent = Being great in one special area (like music, dance, or
drawing).
🧒 Gifted children often:
• 💡 Think logically and solve problems easily
• ⚡ Learn very fast
• 🎨 Are very creative and original
• 💬 Ask deep questions
• 💪 Are motivated and confident
• 👤 Like to study alone
• 🚫 Don’t always follow the crowd
• Such children are sometimes called prodigies.
Type of Intelligence Tests

1. Individual or Group tests

Verbal Tests
• Use spoken or written questions.
• Need reading and writing skills.
• Only for literate people.
• Example: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Non-verbal Tests
• Use pictures or patterns.
• No reading or writing needed.
• Good for people of any culture or literacy level.
• Example: Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM)
Performance Tests
• Involve doing tasks with hands (like arranging blocks).
• No need to read or write.
• Useful for people with low literacy.
• Example: Koh’s Block Design
🧒 Culture-Fair vs. Culture-Biased Tests
• Culture-Fair Tests
✔️ Designed to be fair to all cultures
✔️ Use non-verbal or performance tasks
✔️ Do not rely on language
✔️ Reduce cultural discrimination
• Culture-Biased Tests
❌ Favor one culture or group
❌ Results may be unfair for others
❌ Often use language or culture-specific content
Intelligence Testing in India
• Poor test scores can hurt a child’s confidence and self-esteem
• Can lead to unfair treatment from teachers or parents
• Tests may not measure creativity or real-life skills
• May underestimate children from poor or rural backgrounds
🌍 Culture and Intelligence
• Culture includes beliefs, customs, values, and traditions of a
community.
• Intelligence develops within a cultural setting.
.
Key Points:
• Vygotsky said culture shapes how we learn, think, and solve problems.
• In rural societies, emotional and social skills are valued as intelligence.
• In modern societies, logical thinking and reasoning are seen as intelligence.
• Basic mental functions (like crying or walking) are the same everywhere.
• Higher mental skills (like problem-solving) depend on cultural upbringing.
• Sternberg's theory supports that intelligence is based on cultural context
🧒 Technological Intelligence
• Found in advanced societies.
• Linked to achievement, reasoning, and judgment.
• Focus on skills like abstraction, speed, analysis, and performance.
Intelligence in Indian Tradition
Recognizes multiple competencies:
1.Cognitive – Context understanding, problem-solving, communication.
2.Social – Respect, empathy, social responsibility.
3.Emotional – Self-control, honesty, politeness.
4.Entrepreneurial – Patience, hard work, commitment.
❤️ Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
• Ability to understand, express, and manage emotions.
• Defined by Salovey & Mayer.
• EQ is key for life success, not just academics.
Traits of High EQ:
• Self-awareness & emotional control
• Reading others' emotions
• Balanced decision-making
• Creating harmony in relationships
🎯 Special Abilities – Aptitude
• Aptitude = Natural ability to learn or perform in a specific area.
• Differs from interest (what you like), while aptitude is what you're
good at.
• Success needs both aptitude + interest.
🧒 Measuring Aptitude
1.Independent Aptitude Tests – Focus on specific skills (e.g.,
mechanical, numerical).
2.Multiple Aptitude Tests – Test various skills together (e.g., DAT, GATB,
ASVAB).
DAT Subtests Include:
• Verbal, Numerical, Abstract
• Clerical speed, Mechanical, Spatial
• Spelling, Language usage
Traits of Emotionally Intelligent People
• Aware of their own and others’ emotions
• Read body language, tone, facial cues
• Use emotions in decision-making
• Understand emotional impact
• Regulate emotions to maintain harmony
🎨 Creativity: Variations in Psychological Attributes
• Creativity varies among individuals and is expressed in many forms—
writing, music, dance, science, inventions, etc.
• It involves originality, innovation, and unique problem-solving.
🌟 Examples of Creative Expression
• Inventing a device
• Writing a poem
• Creating a painting
• Innovating in science or law
🧒 Creativity vs. Intelligence
• Intelligence = Quick learning, accurate reproduction (e.g., Sunita)
• Creativity = Novel thinking, unique approaches (e.g., Rita)
• High IQ ≠ High creativity
• Creativity needs a minimum level of intelligence but thrives on
imagination and divergent thinking
🔍 Creativity Testing
• Open-ended tasks with no fixed answers
• Focus on divergent thinking:
• Generating many ideas
• Making unusual connections
• Seeing problems from new angles
Try yourself:
1. Riya has very good verbal reasoning skills and is very interested in
reading. Which profession is she more likely to succeed in given her
skills?
a. Athlete b. Journalist c. Engineer d. Farmer

2. How is intelligence quotient measured?

a. IQ = MA + CA x 100 b. IQ = CA/MA × 100 c. IQ = MA x CA x 100 d. IQ
= MA/CA × 100