The Cognitive Approach to Intelligence

In contrast to the psychometric approach, cognitive approaches to intelligence emphasize several kinds of intelligence and the strategies people use to solve problems. Stenberg's theory of intelligence prosposes three aspects of intelligence; componential, experiential (creativity), contextual (practicality). Contextual knowledge allows you to acquire tacit knowledge, practical strategies that are important for success but are not explicitly taught. Howard Gardner proposes that there are actually several "intelligences" besides those actually considered, including musical and kinesthetic intelligence, and the capacity to understand the natural world, yourself, or others. The latter two overlap with what some psychologists call emotional intelligence. Intellectual achievement also depends on motivation, hard work, and attitudes. Research shows that in teenagers, self-discipline predicts grades better than IQ does. Cross-cultural work shows that beliefs about the origins of mental abilities, parental standards, and attitudes toward education can also help account for differences in academic performance.