1.
Introduction
Individual Differences: People vary in physical and psychological traits, e.g.,
intelligence, personality, values.
These differences can be due to personal traits or situational factors (situationism).
Example: A generally aggressive person may act submissive with a boss.
2. Psychological Attributes
Psychologists assess psychological traits to understand and predict behavior.
Attributes include intelligence, aptitude, personality, values, and more.
Assessment can be:
o Formal: Objective, standardized, organized (e.g., tests).
o Informal: Subjective, varies across assessors.
3. Intelligence
Definition: The ability to understand, reason, adapt, and solve problems.
Psychologists define intelligence differently:
o Binet: Ability to judge, reason, and understand.
o Wechsler: Think rationally, act purposefully, adapt to surroundings.
4. Theories of Intelligence
1. Psychometric Approach: Focuses on measurable abilities (IQ tests).
o Spearman: General factor (g-factor) + specific abilities (s-factor).
o Thurstone: 7 primary abilities (e.g., verbal comprehension, memory).
o Guilford: Structure of intellect model with 180 abilities across operations,
contents, and products.
2. Information-Processing Approach: Focuses on cognitive processes.
o Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory:
Componential (Analytical): Problem-solving, analyzing.
Experiential (Creative): Using experience for novel solutions.
Contextual (Practical): Adapting to environment.
o PASS Model:
Planning, Attention-arousal, Simultaneous/Successive processing.
3. Multiple Intelligences (Gardner):
o 8 types of intelligence, e.g., linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical,
interpersonal, intrapersonal, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalistic.
5. Intelligence: Nature vs. Nurture
Intelligence results from heredity (genes) and environment (socio-economic,
nutrition, education).
Studies show:
o Identical twins (reared together): IQ correlation ~0.90.
o Environmental deprivation lowers IQ; enriching environments improve IQ.
6. Variations in Intelligence
1. Gifted Individuals:
o IQ above 130.
o Characteristics: Creativity, motivation, advanced logical thinking.
o Need special programs to nurture potential.
2. Intellectual Disability:
o IQ below 70, with adaptive behavior deficits.
o Levels: Mild (55-70), Moderate (40-55), Severe (25-40), Profound (<25).
7. Emotional Intelligence (EI)
Definition: Ability to understand, express, and regulate emotions.
Salovey & Mayer: EI includes self-awareness, managing emotions, empathy, social
skills.
High EI helps handle stress, maintain relationships, and succeed in life.
8. Aptitude and Creativity
Aptitude: Potential to acquire skills in specific fields (e.g., mechanical, language).
o Tests include Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT) for specific skills.
Creativity: Producing original, novel, and useful ideas.
o Requires some intelligence but also divergent thinking (e.g., Torrance Test of
Creativity).
9. Cultural Perspective on Intelligence
Intelligence varies across cultures:
o Western cultures: Focus on technological intelligence (reasoning, speed,
performance).
o Indian tradition: Holistic view (buddhi) includes social, emotional, and
cognitive abilities.
10. Key Points
Intelligence tests: Verbal/Non-verbal, Individual/Group, Culture-fair or biased.
Misuses of IQ Tests: Can lead to discrimination and fail to capture creativity or
practical skills
