Notes, Summaries, and Assimilations:

Examine three theories of examining modes of measuring human intelligence

            Robert Sternberg developed a theory of intelligence based factors that include analytical, creative, and practical assessments of an individual. By assessing an individual’s ability to perform these factors an intelligence quotient can be formed. Characteristics of analytical thinkers involve analyzing information by critiquing and comparing using mostly linear thinking. Creative thinkers think most laterally and abstractly, inventing and constructing new concepts and ideas out of information. Practical thinkers excel in the ability to implement and use information through utilizing an idea or understanding efficiently and effectively in application.

            Sternberg developed this theory by examining his students at Yale University. He watched as each type of student succeeded and struggled in different situations required of them.

Howard Gardner developed a theory of intelligence by separating the previous notions of intelligence that tend to lack the emphasis of creativity. Gardner supposed that there are multiple intelligences to an individual that all exist separately from one another. The theory states that everyone has these intelligences and according to their circumstances and the context they will display them. There are seven basic accepted types of intelligence his theory deals with people whose originality and strengths may arise in one of the following forms: musical, logical, mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic (athletics), linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalists. They are all inherent within us and it is up to each individual to extract and develop them.

Jeff Hawkins theory of intelligence deals with how fast information in processed in the brain and how well the information is remembered. The theory revolves around the brains ability to predict situations, patterns, outcomes, solutions, etc., by combining what you’ve seen before with what is happening now. This includes a variety of applications ranging from mathematics, language, social situations, and the properties of objects.

 

How does measured IQ relate to theories?

IQ is a standardized method of measuring intelligence through assessing rate of processing, problem solving, comprehension and other factors that involve a systematic, linear test.  It is a singular method used to come up with results that provide ‘snapshots’ of their mental functioning  so they can be organized and compared to the rest of the population.

All of these theories contain workable components that hold true when tested against their perimeters. They all provide some insight into the inner-workings of the mind. They don’t, however, acknowledge the infinite possibilities and potential that exists within the mind of an individual. This lacks the certain identification of motivating factors that would cause someone to tap into these potentials. What IQ does give a snapshot at the current ability to apply the brain to specific problems, using specific methods, under specific guidelines, under the watch and discretion of a single opinion (a psychologist or group of psychologists deciding on the results). The problem with measured IQ is the tendency is has to present a false interpretation of a person’s capabilities by placing specific parameters around the mind and how it should produce and apply. This is in no way a true representation of a person’s true capabilities, only a place to start understanding how an individual works and functions.

 

How does neuroscience relate to those theories?

           

Neuroscience simply offers us a place to see how these theories hold up in a biological sense. The psychology behind these theories and behind the human brain in general can be supported by observing specific brain functions and how they react when tested against certain claims and within their qualifying perimeters. Ideas cannot materialize unless we see them in action. In comparison analogy, physics is a science composed of ideas and understandings that have been tested in the world around us. Psychology is the place where these ideas are formulated by observing personal intuition or the behavior and world around us. We test these concepts and understandings in our mind, similar to the world in which the principles of physics are examined. The only difference is that through physics we have been able to identify certain limitations that exist in the world around us. Within the scape of our minds the possibilities are limitless. Any idea or concept is real and can be possible, theoretically, even though the confines of our tangible world may prohibit it.

Through thought we can change the composition of our world. We think about an action, we act on the action, and we make change to the external world around us. I think that through thought we can change reality. It’s been proven already. Knowledge is power. Anything we can think up we can do, although we may not know how to do it. That is where we have to examine the how. Learn, experience, and have faith that even though it hasn’t happened or existed before, it is possible. Edison said “Creation-innovation and inventiveness- is one percent inspiration, and ninety nine percent perspiration.” Meaning: Idea’s can be dreamed up all day, but to make them work and materialize them requires intense determination, will-power and effort.

As all these theories relate to neuroscience, whatever you are looking for you will find. Neuroscience is simply the place where we look to find the answers we are looking for to support these theories- and just because they provide answers does not mean that the theories provide any truth, rather separate looking glasses to examine the truth.

Speaking in terms of epistemology, when examining truth, or the world around us for what it really is and why, knowledge can only be gained if a belief, backed by understanding and reason, is in place to examine the reality; like an eyeglass used to examine the landscape around us. Every man will try to find an eyeglass that best examines the landscape, providing it the proper justice he thinks it deserves as it relates to truth, but he himself has a tainted perspective due to his beliefs formed by his individual intuitions and experiences.

Searching the brain through neuroscience will provide none of the answers we are looking for. It will only illustrate, supporting or refuting, any concept we present as it relates to our past and present understandings about the people of society being examined.

If you are in a haystack and you are asked to search for hay, you will find hay. If you are asked to find the bottom you will find the bottom. If you are asked to find a needle, you will find a needle eventually, given enough time and effort. You will never find the needle unless you are looking specifically for it. And if it is found, it is useless unless it is a recognizable part of a solution. Linear, analytic thinkers only find what they are asked to look for to solve a solution. Creative thinkers take everything they find and plug it into the formula of understanding and past experiences and intuitions in order to seek a solution. This is why they fail so many times, yet this is why they are able to create new things. Sometimes by mistake, often by trying out new things to another solution only to come up with an entirely new formula to a separate solution, but more often by always plugging in information, remembering the relationships and combinations for future reference as they refine their understanding and sharpen their reason.

Neuroscience examines the material we are working with. Psychology looks at the products or behaviors. These and other theories regarding human functioning examine the ‘why’ within that black box we call our brains. I often think that the issue of the ‘heart’ is often ignored. Scientists examine the mental implications, acknowledge ‘emotional components’, but neglect the ‘heart’ of a person.  Aristotle once said “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Knowing what information to use and how to use it but lacking the reason or ‘why’ to use it presents very little value. Success is measured in action. If we lack to reason to succeed, to reach our full potential and to expand our understanding of real everlasting truth and the principles that entail, since this is at the very essence of what man is looking for, we will fail and never tap into the recesses of our minds that hold true meaning and fulfillment that life should offer.