Theories of Intelligence
Cognition is a Fancy Word for Thinking
Getting smarter about Intelligence
Cognitive shortcuts and errors
100
Charles Spearman's theory of general intelligence is sometimes referred to by *this* letter.
What is "g?"
100

This term refers to mental groupings or categories of similar things (like "fruits" or "kinds of dogs").

What are concepts?

100
Among other things, intelligence is considered to include the ability to do *these* three things.
What are "solve problems, learn from experience, and adapt to new situations?"
100

This cognitive shortcut leads us to assume that something is common, just because we can easily think of examples of it.

What is the availability heuristic?

200
According to Gardner, this kind of intelligence is shown by persons who are strong leaders and good at working with people.
What is interpersonal intelligence?
200
This step-by-step procedure can help you make decisions (or help Sheldon make friends).
What is an algorithm?
200
In light of the differences in intelligence test scores across different races, psychologists generally believe that the differences in scores are due primarily to this factor.
What are Environmental differences?
200

This cognitive error occurs when we are unable to look a problem in a new way, and cannot come up with a novel solution.

What is fixation?

300
These are the THREE parts of Sternberg's Triarchic Intelligence theory.
What are analytical, creative, and practical intelligence?
300

This term represents the "best example" of a category or a concept.

What is a prototype?

300

This phenomenon occurs when persons in certain racial/ethnic groups perform worse on intelligence tests simply because they are told that their group usually scores lower on these tests.

What is stereotype threat?

300

Someone who says "I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with the facts" might be a victim of this cognitive error.

What is belief perseverance?

400
This kind of intelligence allows you to read emotional cues and manage social situations effectively.
What is emotional intelligence (or social intelligence)?
400
This is the sudden realization of a solution after some time has passed, sometimes called an "Aha! Moment."
What is Insight?
400
Research suggests that "brain training apps" on your smartphone have *this* kind of impact on increasing your intelligence.
What is "no impact?"
400

There are many reasons why people often fear things that are not statistically likely to harm them (like shark attacks). Some reasons for this include...

What are "fears of what we cannot control?"
"fears of things that are easy to find examples of?"
"fears of things that evolution has prepared us to fear?"
"fears of things that seem like short-term threats?"

500
According to Sternberg's theory, this kind of intelligence would include being "street smart" and being able to deal with the challenges of daily life.
What is "Practical Intelligence?"
500

This is the type of thinking needed for creative problem-solving - coming up with many possible solutions to a problem.

What is divergent thinking?

500
This is one of the most commonly-used modern intelligence tests (which might ask you to play with blocks!).
What is the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)?
500

This is the discomfort we feel when we notice a contradiction between what we believe and what we do (like smoking when we know it's not healthy for us).

What is cognitive dissonance?

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