Differences in Thinking Ability - Cognitive Psychology

One of the primary objectives of cognitive psychologists is to study and ultimately understand how people think. It is difficult to discuss how people think without discussing inherent differences in thinking ability, that is, intelligence. Discuss the following:

• How would you define intelligence?

Intelligence is the measure of one’s capacity to think in a manner that is accepted as proper and comprehensive. In the field of cognitive psychology, intelligence is noted as the process by which one thinks and responds to the different situations that occur in one’s life (Sternberg, et al, 45). Overall, intelligence is understood as the capacity of one to the abstract thought, the capacity of understanding, the self-awareness and the process of comprehension that one’s brain could infer in relation to how one is able to respond to the world around them.

• Is intelligence the single best predictor of success? Why or why not?

No. It is understood that even though intelligence is an element of thinking that provides the best source of indication on whether or not a person is able to create proper decisions (Piaget, 134), there are still other elements such as environmental intensities that define what a person thinks about which could not be controlled by intelligence fully.

How one utilizes their intelligence in relation to other elements such as personal instinct and environmental motivation accounts for the correct prediction of one’s success in life. True, one cannot succeed unless one is able to direct all these elements together for the best results of their being.

• Are there multiple types of intelligence or just one unifying type of intelligence?

There are different types or forms of intelligence. At one point, abstract thinking is most often than not direct, yet unlimited. Abstract as it is, it is most often than not understood to be creative and free in form. Another form of intelligence...