Different Types of Intelligence and How to Master Them (2024)

Do you analyze the situation before acting? Do you have more than one solution to any problem? Do you act according to the immediate environment and social context?

Congratulations! Having one or all of these abilities makes you an intelligent person, at least according to the triarchic theory of intelligence.

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This is one of the popular theories to measure one’s intelligence. American psychologist Robert Sternberg proposed the triarchic theory to describe the distinct types of intelligence in an individual: analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence. The theory is seen as a significant blend of the various theories of intelligence.

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Sternberg argued that a person’s intelligence is determined by his adaption to the changing environment and how he contributes to shaping the world around him. If intelligence is properly defined and measured, as Sternberg believes, it may lead one to succeed in life.

Analytical Intelligence:

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As the name suggests, this form of intelligence is all about analyzing, judging, comparing, evaluating and assessing information to arrive at a solution. The brain starts processing information when you are in this mode. It is thus not surprising that individuals with high analytical intelligence are better able to conceptualize a solution. Also known as componential intelligence, analytical intelligence is measured by IQ tests and academic achievements.

Creative Intelligence:

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How do you react to the novel situations or new problems?

Here you need to create ideas and solutions using your existing knowledge and skills. This way, you are using your creative intelligence or experimental intelligence. You must have seen how James Bond uses his intelligence and skills to cope up with unusual problems in a new place. With creative intelligence, you can solve riddles, do artwork, adjust to the new environment and find new ways to do new things efficiently.

Practical Intelligence:

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Call it being a worldly wise or street smart, practical intelligence helps you survive in this cynical world, especially among unethical people. In short, it is all about accomplishing daily tasks in the real world.

Your practical intelligence is determined by how you relate to your external environment, how do you deal with routine experiences and how you avoid being manipulated.

For example, you want to purchase a home. As you don’t want to be taken advantage of, you will go through several price comparisons to make sure that your estate agent provides you with a fair price. Practical intelligence is gained by learning from the past experiences and utilizing that knowledge at the right time.

How to Master Triarchic Theory of Intelligence?

These are the three types of intelligence described by Sternberg in his triarchic theory of intelligence. We all have a certain amount of each type of intelligence. Some are high on creative intelligence; some excel at analysis. However, you need to balance all intelligence types to become smarter.

In fact, all types of intelligence interrelate with each other. Your ability to analyze information helps you encounter new problems. To perform routine tasks in the real world, you need to use both analytical intelligence and creative intelligence. Whatever your circ*mstances are, you can combine all three forms to arrive at an optimal solution. You can then best identify the problem, come up with appropriate solutions, and execute them effectively.

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Different Types of Intelligence and How to Master Them (2024)

FAQs

How to develop different types of intelligence? ›

Some strategies that can be used in schools include: Diversifying activities. Design activities and tasks that target different types of intelligence. For example, include reading and writing activities for verbal-linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical challenges, art projects, or creative movement activities.

Are there 12 types of intelligence? ›

This theory suggests human intelligence can be differentiated into the following modalities: visual-spatial, verbal-linguistic, musical-rhythmic, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic and bodily-kinesthetic.

What are the 8 different types of intelligence? ›

Eight types of intelligence
  • Logical-mathematical intelligence. ...
  • Linguistic intelligence. ...
  • Spatial Intelligence. ...
  • Musical Intelligence. ...
  • Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence. ...
  • Intrapersonal Intelligence. ...
  • Interpersonal Intelligence. ...
  • Naturalistic intelligence.

What is the rarest type of intelligence? ›

People who possess existential intelligence—the ability to ponder fundamental issues about human existence including the purpose of life, the nature of death, and the nature of reality itself—are said to possess the rarest form of intelligence.

Can you change your underlying level of intelligence? ›

Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can't change very much. You can learn new things but you can't really change how intelligent you are. No matter how much intelligence you have, you can always change quite a bit.

What are the 7 primary abilities of intelligence? ›

The seven primary mental abilities in Thurstone's model were verbal comprehension, word fluency, number facility, spatial visualization, associative memory, perceptual speed, and reasoning.

What type of intelligence is the most important? ›

While academic, or “verbal,” intelligence (IQ) matters, there are other forms of intelligence that are equally important for success in the workplace. Emotional intelligence has become quite a popular construct, and it involves knowledge of emotions in oneself and others.

How many IQ types are there? ›

These are: Naturalistic, Musical, Logical–mathematical, Existential, Interpersonal, Linguistic, Bodily–kinaesthetic, Intra–personal and Spatial intelligence.

Are there levels of intelligence? ›

85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright. 130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted.

What is the highest form of intelligence? ›

Intuition Is the Highest Form of Intelligence.

What type of intelligence is IQ? ›

IQ stands for intelligence quotient and, in short, it is a measure of a person's reasoning ability. In other words, an IQ test is supposed to gauge how well someone can use information and logic to answer questions or make predictions.

How to measure intelligence? ›

IQ can be assessed by using tests that aim to measure a person's intellectual abilities along with their potential by giving them tasks that focus on reasoning, problem-solving, and logic. In 1905, psychologist Alfred Binet created an IQ test and did so based on the changes he saw in the educational system.

What is the most attractive intelligence? ›

On average, the 90th IQ percentile (IQ ≈ 120) was rated the most sexually attractive. The Sapiosexual Questionnaire (SapioQ) was found to measure a moderately strong single-factor. The SapioQ scores were found to have coefficient alpha = 0.78.

What is the lowest form of IQ? ›

Historical IQ classification tables
IQ Range ("ratio IQ")IQ Classification
90–109Normal or average
80–89Low average
70–79Borderline defective
Below 70Mentally defective
3 more rows

What is the most complex intelligence type? ›

Existential Intelligence. Existential intelligence refers to deep sensitivity and people's ability to handle deep questions such as the meaning of existence, it's one of the most complex of the nine types of intelligence listed in Gardner's research.

How can intelligence be developed? ›

Learn Something New
  1. Learning a second language. Learning a second language protects your brain from some of the negative effects of aging. ...
  2. Learning to play an instrument. Taking up music lessons requires your brain to multitask. ...
  3. Reading a book. Reading is a great way to learn a new subject or skill.
Jun 23, 2021

How do you build effective intelligence? ›

Here are 10 habits to incorporate into your daily life to become smarter:
  1. Read more. ...
  2. Surround yourself with like-minded people. ...
  3. Start exercising daily. ...
  4. Learn a new language. ...
  5. Look for learning opportunities. ...
  6. Lower your screen time. ...
  7. Practice meditation. ...
  8. Explore video games.
Jul 6, 2022

Can you have multiple types of intelligence? ›

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

In order to capture the full range of abilities and talents that people possess, Gardner theorizes that people do not have just an intellectual capacity, but have many kinds of intelligence, including musical, interpersonal, spatial-visual, and linguistic intelligences.

Is it possible to be intelligent in different ways? ›

There are nine different types of intelligence. These are: Naturalistic, Musical, Logical–mathematical, Existential, Interpersonal, Linguistic, Bodily–kinaesthetic, Intra–personal and Spatial intelligence.

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