Photo by: http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/sternberg.shtml
Robert Sternberg & Triarchic Intelligence
Sternberg defines intelligence as "mental activity directed toward purpose adaptation to, selection and shaping of, real-world environments relevant to one’s life." Sternberg agreed with Garners's theory that intelligence was much broader than a single, general ability, and he argues that some of Garner's intelligences are better viewed as individual talents. He believed that individuals will personally succeed in life when they use mental skills to adapt to, select and shape external environments. Sternberg proposed something called "successful intelligence" which has three factors:
- Analytical Intelligence (Componential): refers to problem-solving abilities. Used when analyzing, evaluating, criticizing, reasoning, and judging.
- Creative Intelligence (Experimental): aspect of intelligence that involves that ability to deal with new situations using past experiences and current skills. Used when discovering, inventing, dealing with novelty and creating.
- Practical Intelligence (Contextual): refers to the ability to adapt to a changing environment. Used while implying, implementing and using.
Photo by: http://www.education.com/reference/article/triarchic-theory-of-intelligence/
Sternberg theorized that "intelligent" people will identify their strengths and weaknesses in order to make the most of what the are good at in order to compensate for things they are weak in. He also stressed that individuals are not limited to having a strength in only one of the factors, he believes that integrated factors of intelligence is possible. Sternberg spent years working to develop his theory, he first studies the fundamental importance of different abilities from multiple cultures and societies. Then he designed studies to develop valid and reliable methods to assess analytical, practical and creative abilities. And finally he applied his theory to the educational environment and studied the outcome.
Text Sources:
http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/p/intelligence.htm
http://www.education.com/reference/article/triarchic-theory-of-intelligence/
http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/p/intelligence.htm
http://www.education.com/reference/article/triarchic-theory-of-intelligence/