Triarchic Theory Of Intelligence

| Asmita D. Chande | Gunjan H. Mandaliya | Janvi K. Patel | Mainvi R. Singh | Mansi Mishra | Noshin Y. Sapra |
Contents:

• What is Intelligence?
• About Robert J. Sternberg
• Introduction to Triarchic Theory
• Analytical Intelligence
• Practical Intelligence
• Creative Intelligence
• Criticisms to Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
 What is Intelligence?
• Intelligence is the capacity to uncover “Aggregate global capacity of
opportunities in every challenge and paint an individual to think
the canvas of life with strokes of rationally, act purposefully,
innovation and abilities. According to the and deal effectively with the
Oxford Learner Dictionary, Intelligence is environment”.
the ability to learn, understand, and think
logically about things; the ability to do
this well. There are so many definitions of
Intelligence.

• To be able to understand Intelligence in a

better way, we have many theories
proposed by different researchers. A
theory includes a formal set of ideas that is
proposed to explain why something
happens or exists.
 Robert J. Sternberg
• Robert J. Sternberg is one of the most influential psychologists
of the twentieth century, best known for his groundbreaking
research into intelligence, love, creativity, and cognitive styles.
He is Professor of Human Development in the College of
Human Ecology at Cornell University.
• Among Dr Sternberg's seminal ideas is the triarchic theory of
intelligence, which identifies three components of 'successful
intelligence': analytical, creative, and practical. He is also
responsible for the triangular theory of love, which focuses on
commitment, passion, and intimacy as the three crucial elements
of love.
• Sternberg's work has significantly influenced the way
intelligence and cognitive abilities are studied and understood,
advocating for a broader perspective on human potential and
success.
 Triarchic Theory Of Intelligence
• The Triarchic Theory of Intelligence, proposed by psychologist Robert Sternberg in 1986, suggests that
intelligence is composed of three distinct but interrelated components:

1. Analytical Intelligence: This involves problem-solving abilities and academic skills, such as logical
reasoning and the ability to analyze and evaluate information.
2. Creative Intelligence: This aspect pertains to the capacity to generate novel ideas, think outside the box, and
adapt to new situations.
3. Practical Intelligence: Often referred to as "street smarts," this component involves the ability to apply
knowledge effectively in real-world situations and navigate everyday challenges.

• Sternberg's theory highlights that a comprehensive understanding of intelligence requires considering all three
types, rather than focusing solely on analytical skills.

• The triarchic theory of intelligence originated as an alternative to the concept of general intelligence factor.

• The theory is comprised of three subtheories: contextual, experiential, and componential. Each subtheory
corresponds to one of the three proposed types of intelligence.
 Analytical Intelligence

• Componential or Analytical Intelligence refers to the analysis of information to solve problems. It

could be emphasized as the ability to break down the problem into components and analyse things for
problem-solving. It is more of a traditional approach that relates to academic achievement. It is also
called book smart.
• Example: Solving a complex mathematical problem- a student facing a problem in a mathematical
problem, instead of solving it immediately, breaks it into smaller parts, identifies patterns, and applies a
systematic approach, this way or approach is because of Analytical intelligence.

• Analytical intelligence has three components:

1. Meta-component- the executive part that controls cognitive processing and performance
2. Performance component- the one that involves performing a task or an activity
3. Knowledge component- the one meant for the Acquisition of knowledge and ways used to acquire
them
• This aspect of intelligence is often what is
traditionally measured in academic settings. It
involves the ability to analyze, evaluate a
compare information, solving Problems though
local reasoning & critical thinking.

• It includes skills like: -

a. Problem solving: - Identifying & solving well-
defined problems using logical steps.
b. Logical Reasoning: -Applying deductive and
inductive reasoning to draw conclusions.
c. Academic Abilities: -Understanding & Applying
concepts in subjects like Mathematics, science
and language.
• In essence, analytical intelligence focuses on the
ability to break down complex ideas into simpler
parts, evaluate them & synthesize information to
make informed decisions.
 Creative Intelligence

• Creative Intelligence refers to the one that involves using past experiences creatively to solve novel or
unique problems. This involves engaging in divergent thinking- creatively solving problems.
• Example: Creating a piece of art- X, when faced with unique problems on woodwork, relies on her
years of hands-on experience, and navigates optimal approach and craft without instructions. This is
what we call Creative Intelligence.
• Experiential Intelligence has two components:
1. Automation- the one that requires not much attention, effort, or energy. This information processing is
something that flows automatically.
2. Novelty- unique or new processing which is much parallel to Automation. This involves coming up
with new and novel ideas.
• Creative intelligence is how we think divergently—how we see beyond conventional solutions and
develop imaginative ideas. It allows us to approach problems from fresh angles, adapting and evolving
as our circumstances change. It's not only about having a flash of insight.
 • Creative intelligence refers to the ability to think outside
the box, generate novel solutions, and adapt to new
situations. It encompasses the skill of seeing beyond the
conventional and imagining alternative scenarios or
ideas. People with high creative intelligence are often
highly innovative.

• Creative intelligence is • It’s about harnessing that

the amalgamation of insight to drive innovation
knowledge and and progress. Behind
imagination. It propels us breakthroughs and
toward new horizons, inventions there is creative
enriches our intelligence, propelling us
understanding of the through complexity with
world, and, ultimately, ingenuity.
makes us more human.
 Practical Intelligence
• Contextual or Practical Intelligence refers to the intelligence that is intertwined with the individual’s
environment. The ability to adapt to one’s environment, and shape the environment to the best fit of
individual. This one involves the capability of an individual to use his or her ability to function efficiently in
life. This one is called street smart.
• Example: Successfully managing a team- During arguments, Mr. M uses his Contextual or practical skills of
communication style, and adjusting them with the cultural norm has gained her international clients
concerning her business.
• The components of Contextual Intelligence include:
1. Adaptation- making adjustments to the new environment
2. Shaping – shaping one’s environment according to the needs and requirements
3. Selection – completely change one’s older environment with the new effective one
• Practical knowledge or common sense is largely based on tacit knowledge or what one needs to know needs
to be able to succeed in a particular environment that is often not verbalized.
• Tacit knowledge is often acquired on one's own with little support from other people or resources. When
knowledge acquisition is supported certain processes underlying acquisition facilitated.
• These processes include: 1) Sorting relevant from irrelevant information
in the environment, 2) integrating information into a meaningful
interpretation of the situation and 3) relating new information to existing
knowledge.
• Often in this case, these processes are not well supported which results in
likelihood of some individuals failing to acquire practical knowledge.
Tacit knowledge tends to remain unspoken and poorly conveyed.
• Tacit knowledge is procedural in nature. It is the knowledge about how to
act in particular situations. and settings. All tacit knowledge is procedural
but not all procedural knowledge is tacit knowledge.
• Tacit knowledge often is expressed in the form of complex, multi-
condition rules, e.g., rules about how to judge people accurately for a
variety of purposes and under a variety of circumstances. These complex
rules can be represented in the form of condition-action pairings.
• A characteristic feature of tacit knowledge is that it has practical value to
the individual. Knowledge that is experience-based and action-oriented
will likely be more instrumental to achieving one’s goals than will be
knowledge that is based on someone else’s experience or that does not
specify action.
 Criticisms to Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

Over the years, there have been many criticisms and challenges to
Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence.

1. Gottfredson's Critique:
Ø Psychologist Linda Gottfredson criticizes the lack of empirical
validation.
Ø She argues that IQ testing already measures all the three aspects of
intelligence covered by Sternberg's theory.
Ø It’s not accurate to assume traditional IQ tests do not measure practical
intelligences

2. Not fully independent:

Ø The problem with Sternberg's theory is that they are too similar.
Critics found that all three types of intelligence are related to each
other but they are not completely independent.
3. Subjective judgment:
Ø Critics argue that this theory relies too much on subjective judgment. They also argued that types of
intelligence are based on Sternberg’s opinion and not on objective evidence and because of this they
cannot truly represent aspects of intelligence.

4. Real-world applicability:
Ø The critics have argued that the analytical, creative and practical model of intelligence do not always
correspond to how it should be in real world.

• The major criticism about the Triarchic theory of intelligence has been regarding its unempirical nature..
Researches have shown people with high IQ to have reached higher in their career, have higher income.
Also, traditional analytical intelligence also showed correlation with staying alive and out of jail, which is
generally categorized as practical intelligence or street smarts.

• Overall, though Sternberg Theory of Intelligence had provided broader view of intelligence, it also has its
own limitations. His theory does not fully explain how the types are related. Only three types
were recognized. This theory is based on subjective judgments and it lacks a holistic view of intelligence.
 Bibliography:

• Book: Beyond IQ by Robert J. Sternberg

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triarchic_theory_of_intelligence
• https://nrcgt.uconn.edu/newsletters/spring002/
• https://awspntest.apa.org/record/1997-97010-005
• https://psychology.cornell.edu/robert-sternberg
• Research papers