Intelligence and How Cultures Affect Perceptions of Intelligence
Intelligence and How Cultures Affect Perceptions of Intelligence
In this essay, I will describe my personal definition of intelligence and explain how my cultural frames of reference influence my definition. I will compare my cultural frames of reference for intelligence with another culture’s frames of reference for intelligence. I will analyze the two online intelligence tests in terms of their appropriateness for use with people in all cultures. Last, I will explain why I believe family and environmental factors have a great influence on intelligence. Everyone has their own unique perception of what intelligence means. Our textbook described intelligence “as a set of mental abilities; the capacity to acquire and use knowledge; problem-solving skills and knowledge about the world; the ability to excel at a variety of tasks; or as a skill that allows us to understand, adapt, learn, and overcome obstacles” (Shiraev & Levy, p. 116).There are so many factors that affect those definitions. All definitions relate to each person’s own culture and environment, whether it is analytic thinking, creativity, nonverbal communication, emotions, movement, etc. I define intelligence as the ability to use knowledge and problem-solving skills in order to reach certain goals and overcome certain obstacles to survive. One must recognize a problem; find a solution to the problem; use correct and available resources to solve the problem; and work through the process of the solution. By using these problem-solving skills, goals can be met and obstacles overcome. In my culture, survival is a huge part of intelligence. It is more than being “book smart”. A person that has a high IQ and grades is definitely considered smart, but those are not the only elements of intelligence. An intelligent person must also have knowledge of the land and utilize the resources available to them. I come from a rural town in Mississippi. Gardening and farming
In this essay, I will describe my personal definition of intelligence and explain how my cultural frames of reference influence my definition. I will compare my cultural frames of reference for intelligence with another culture’s frames of reference for intelligence. I will analyze the two online intelligence tests in terms of their appropriateness for use with people in all cultures. Last, I will explain why I believe family and environmental factors have a great influence on intelligence. Everyone has their own unique perception of what intelligence means. Our textbook described intelligence “as a set of mental abilities; the capacity to acquire and use knowledge; problem-solving skills and knowledge about the world; the ability to excel at a variety of tasks; or as a skill that allows us to understand, adapt, learn, and overcome obstacles” (Shiraev & Levy, p. 116).There are so many factors that affect those definitions. All definitions relate to each person’s own culture and environment, whether it is analytic thinking, creativity, nonverbal communication, emotions, movement, etc. I define intelligence as the ability to use knowledge and problem-solving skills in order to reach certain goals and overcome certain obstacles to survive. One must recognize a problem; find a solution to the problem; use correct and available resources to solve the problem; and work through the process of the solution. By using these problem-solving skills, goals can be met and obstacles overcome. In my culture, survival is a huge part of intelligence. It is more than being “book smart”. A person that has a high IQ and grades is definitely considered smart, but those are not the only elements of intelligence. An intelligent person must also have knowledge of the land and utilize the resources available to them. I come from a rural town in Mississippi. Gardening and farming
References: Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2013). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Dove, A. (1971). The Chitling Test. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from http://wilderdom.com/personality/intelligenceChitlingTestShort.html Wilderdom.com. (2003). The Original Australian Test of Intelligence. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from http://wilderdom.com/personality/intelligenceOriginalAustralian.html