What is intelligence and how we can improve it?

Abstract

Through the years several theories have emerged trying to explain what intelligence is, and tried to find out its diverse effect while conducting educational, psychological, medical psycho-educational and/or community-based interventions. On the other hand, in the last 50 years several aspects of the human mind and its potential have been discovered. Here we will only focus on two of these discoveries as: i) intelligence can be enhanced and amplified (e.g., Masters & Houston, 1972; Harman, 1988; Machado, 1980; Feuerstein, 1980); ii) there are multiple intelligences (e.g., Gardner, 1983; 1987; 1999; 2002; 2004). So, what is intelligence? According to Gardner (e.g., 2004), intelligence consists in a multiple reality, implying that there are several forms of intelligence, subsequently, several ways of knowing and learning. From this point of view, intelligences are understood as tendencies or psychobiological potentials that may, or may not, fulfill themselves depending on several cultural and environmental factors. This means intelligence isn’t one-dimensional, static, fixed and only innate. On the contrary, intelligence is multiple and modifiable, with the possibility of development if properly stimulated.