Intellectual diversity
INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY For more than a century, psychologists have investigated the nature of human intelligence. According to Oxford Dictionary Intelligence is defined as the mental ability to learn and understand things. The term intelligence is an individual's ability to solve problems or fashion products. In the traditional view -- one held by many psychologists -- intelligence is a human trait that varies from one individual to the next such that the individual with a great deal of this trait (the more intelligent individual) is more skilled at solving problems and fashioning products. Indeed, it doesn't matter what the problem is. For any problem the highly intelligent person will be more likely to solve it than the less intelligent person. Intelligence is a characteristic aspect of the human species. For the most part, intelligent behavior involves problem solving. It may include the power to reason logically and the ability to examine a problem from different viewpoints. Moreover, it may also be related to a person’s ability to keep an open mind. Lastly, an individual’s verbal ability and social intelligence are also important for problem-solving (Weinber, 1989, p.98) There are many different theories on how we measure and define intelligence. Every society features its ideal human being. The Ancient Greeks valued the person who showed physical agility, coherent judgment, and good behavior. The Romans focused on manly courage, followers of Islam prized the holy soldier, Chinese populations traditionally valued the person who was skilled in poetry, music, calligraphy, archery, and drawing, and among the Keres tribe of the Pueblo Indians today, the person who cares for others is considered in high regard. (Gardner, p. 2) Over the past few centuries, particularly in Western societies, a certain ideal has become prevalent: that of the intelligent person, which had evolved over time and settings. In traditional schools, the intelligent person could master classical languages and mathematics. In a business setting the intelligent person could anticipate commercial opportunities, take measure risks, build up an organization, and keep the books balanced and the stockholders satisfied. (p.3) Attempts have been made throughout history to measure intelligence. The ancient Chinese administered challenging examinations to identified those who could join and direct the bureaucracy and used a form of testing to select more favorable candidates. The investigation of the human intellect attracted scholars such as Plato, who believed that “knowledge is not given by the senses but acquired through them as reason organizes and makes sense out of that which is perceived (Zusne, p. 6. IQ Genetics or Environment).” Also, William Duff, an ordained Scottish minister who in the late 18th century, “investigated the creative and cognitive capabilities of genius” and speculated that “imagination was an important part of intelligence” (Smith, Elder & Co. IQ Genetics or Environment).” These were but a few of the many who influenced the development intelligence testing. During the mid 19th century, the formation of major schools of Psychology in Europe began to investigate thoroughly on techniques in measuring intelligence. Already, scientists had begun to use new forms of information gathering, such as Francis Galton, who believed that intelligence could be measure more directly, and began to develop more formal tests on intelligence such as the use of the survey and questionnaire, he also believed that statistical analysis could be used in investigation of behavioral and mental phenomena.