Book contents
- In the Know
- In the Know
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- Section 1 The Nature of Intelligence
- 1 Intelligence Is Whatever Collection of Tasks a Psychologist Puts on a Test
- 2 Intelligence Is Too Complex to Summarize with One Number
- 3 IQ Does Not Correspond to Brain Anatomy or Functioning
- 4 Intelligence Is a Western Concept that Does Not Apply to Non-Western Cultures
- 5 There Are Multiple Intelligences in the Human Mind
- 6 Practical Intelligence Is a Real Ability, Separate from General Intelligence
- Section 2 Measuring Intelligence
- Section 3 Influences on Intelligence
- Section 4 Intelligence and Education
- Section 5 Life Consequences of Intelligence
- Section 6 Demographic Group Differences
- Section 7 Societal and Ethical Issues
- References
- Index
6 - Practical Intelligence Is a Real Ability, Separate from General Intelligence
from Section 1 - The Nature of Intelligence
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 October 2020
- In the Know
- In the Know
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- Section 1 The Nature of Intelligence
- 1 Intelligence Is Whatever Collection of Tasks a Psychologist Puts on a Test
- 2 Intelligence Is Too Complex to Summarize with One Number
- 3 IQ Does Not Correspond to Brain Anatomy or Functioning
- 4 Intelligence Is a Western Concept that Does Not Apply to Non-Western Cultures
- 5 There Are Multiple Intelligences in the Human Mind
- 6 Practical Intelligence Is a Real Ability, Separate from General Intelligence
- Section 2 Measuring Intelligence
- Section 3 Influences on Intelligence
- Section 4 Intelligence and Education
- Section 5 Life Consequences of Intelligence
- Section 6 Demographic Group Differences
- Section 7 Societal and Ethical Issues
- References
- Index
Summary
Everybody knows someone who is smart in the traditional, academic sense – and would presumably have a high IQ score – but who functions poorly in everyday life. The “absentminded professor” stereotype is a good example. People like this are memorable because their foolish behavior is so surprising, given their “book smarts.” From a scientific perspective, these people undermine the claim that intelligence is general and that it helps in all aspects of life. After all, if intelligence really is general, then people who are good at navigating one aspect of their environment (e.g., school) should be good at navigating all of them. If there are people who function poorly in everyday life but function well in school, then it seems plausible that there could be more than one broad ability.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- In the KnowDebunking 35 Myths about Human Intelligence, pp. 62 - 70Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020