Human Intelligence: An Introduction to Advances in Theory and Research

Abstract

Recent advances in three research traditions are summarized: trait theories of intelligence, information-processing theories of intelligence, and general theories of thinking. The discussion of trait theories of intelligence focuses on the theory of fluid and crystallized abilities, particularly recent elaborations of this theory proposed by Horn (1985) and by Snow (1981) : Their work provides a convenient framework for the discussion of information-processing theories of intelligence. I summarize attempts to build process theories of the major ability factors identified in Horn’s (1985) version of this ability model: mental speed, verbal-crystallized abilities, fluid-reasoning abilities, and spatial-visualization abilities. I discuss Sternberg’s (1985) recent attempts to develop a comprehensive theory of intelligence and ask how a theory of intelligence might be derived from the sort of general theories of thinking currently advanced in cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence (AI). The paper concludes with some speculations about the meaning of the construct intelligence and some suggestions for research on it.