In Psychology, it has been a debate for centuries: what makes someone intelligent? In 1904, Charles Spearman started to explore what makes someone intelligent. Spearman believed that intelligence is defined by one general factor (g factor); therefore, if you excel in one area, you should excel in others. He later named this idea the Two Factor Theory because the g factor led to one's special abilities called their s factor. This theory reigned in the psychological world until the 1930s, when other psychologists began to question the idea of general intelligence.
In 1938, Louis Thurston challenged Spearman's g factor. With his research, he found that people had seven different types of intelligences: word fluency, verbal comprehension, numerical ability, spatial visualization, perceptual speed, memory, and inductive reasoning. Though he challenged Spearman's g factor, Thurston eventually agreed that people have an underlying intelligence that leads to specialized intelligences.
After the work of Louis Thurston, Howard Gardner believed there was no specific intelligence one person had, but rather multiple separate intelligences. Gardner developed eight distinct intelligences: naturalist, spatial, linguistic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, mathematical, musical, emotional, and bodily-kinesthetic. Gardner wanted to highlight the different strengths each individual has. He also believed that people can be intelligent even if they struggle in one category versus excelling in another.
To simplify Gardner's multiple intelligences, in 1985, Robert Sternburg developed the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence. He condensed nine intelligences into three main categories: analytical, creative, and practical. Analytical intelligence refers to one's ability to problem solve. Creative intelligence highlights one's ability to think outside the box. Practical intelligence exemplifies "street smarts". Sternburg analyzed the effects society and environment have on intelligence and he found that depending on where someone lives is how intelligence is defined.
Intelligence can be defined by many psychologists, but it is still being researched today. Today, biology and neuroscience has found that brain wide connections determine how "intelligent" someone is. In order for someone to be intelligent, they have to have a certain amount of brain wide connections in specific areas. These brain connections have helped scientists predict someone's intelligence. Scientists take a very logical standpoint to intelligence, yet subjective opinions lead to criticism of what makes someone intelligent or not, thus leading to the endless controversies around studying intelligence.
Sources: Theories of Intelligence
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