CBSE Class 12 Psychology Chapter 1: Intelligence and Aptitude NCERT Solutions

Solution: Psychologists' characterization of intelligence differs significantly from the common sense understanding. While common sense often views intelligence as mental alertness, quick learning, and understanding relationships, psychological definitions are more nuanced. The Oxford dictionary defines it as the power of perceiving, learning, understanding, and knowing. Alfred Binet defined intelligence as the ability to judge well, understand well, and reason well. Later, Wechsler provided a comprehensive definition: "the global and aggregate capacity of an individual to think rationally, act purposefully and to deal effectively with his/her environment." Modern psychologists like Gardner and Sternberg emphasize that intelligent individuals not only adapt to their environment but also actively shape it. Sternberg further defines intelligence as "the ability to adapt, to shape and select environment to accomplish one's goals and those of one's society and culture."

Solution: The extent to which intelligence is determined by heredity (nature) versus environment (nurture) is a long-standing debate in psychology. Research using twin studies, adoption studies, and environmental studies provides insights:

Twin Studies:

• Identical twins reared together show a high correlation in intelligence scores (around 0.90).
• Identical twins reared in different environments show a slightly lower correlation (around 0.72), indicating the influence of environment.
• Fraternal twins reared together have a correlation of about 0.60.
• Siblings reared together correlate around 0.50, and siblings reared apart correlate about 0.25.

Adoption Studies:

• Studies of adopted children before the age of 6-7 years show their intelligence scores are more similar to their biological parents, suggesting a strong genetic influence (nature).
• However, as children grow older, their intelligence scores tend to become more similar to those of their adoptive parents, indicating the impact of the environment (nurture).

Environmental Studies:

• The intelligence scores of twins reared apart tend to become more similar to their adoptive parents as they grow older.
• Children from disadvantaged backgrounds adopted into families with higher socio-economic status often show an increase in their intelligence scores.
• Environmental deprivation can lower intelligence, while factors like good nutrition, a supportive family background, and quality schooling can enhance intellectual growth.

Conclusion: There is a general consensus among psychologists that intelligence is a product of a complex interaction between heredity and environment. Heredity provides the potential and sets a range for intellectual development, while the environment plays a crucial role in facilitating or limiting how that potential is realized.

Solution: Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences proposes that intelligence is not a single, monolithic entity but rather comprises several distinct, independent intelligences. These intelligences work together to solve problems, and individuals possess them in varying degrees. Gardner initially identified eight types of intelligences:

1. Linguistic Intelligence: The sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This is evident in poets, writers, and orators.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. This is common in scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
3. Spatial Intelligence: The potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas. This is found in navigators, sculptors, architects, painters, and pilots.
4. Musical Intelligence: The ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre. This is demonstrated by composers, musicians, and singers.
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems or fashion products. This is seen in dancers, athletes, surgeons, and craftspeople.
6. Inter-personal Intelligence: The capacity to understand the intentions, motivations, and desires of other people and thus to work effectively with others. This is characteristic of teachers, politicians, therapists, and salespeople.
7. Intra-personal Intelligence: The capacity to understand oneself, to have an effective working model of oneself, including one's own desires, fears, and capacities, and to use such information effectively to regulate one's own life. Philosophers and spiritual leaders often exhibit this.
8. Naturalistic Intelligence: The expertise in the recognition and classification of the numerous species—the flora and fauna—of one's environment. Farmers, hunters, botanists, and chefs often possess this intelligence.

Gardner suggests that the prominence of each intelligence can vary depending on the individual and the context.