Why does intelligence continue to fascinate us? Is there only one kind of intelligence, or are there multiple intelligences? Is intelligence innate or is it malleable? Where is the study of intelligence heading?


Intelligence has been among the most controversial constructs in all of the social sciences, from its origin as a concept a thousand years ago by such thinkers as Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato to the present. The answer to the question "What is intelligence?" has tremendous implications for how we view the relationships between mind, education, and society. Is intelligence one general trait or a host of multifaceted abilities? Are racial and socioeconomic differences in intelligence evidence of nature or nurture? Are all intelligent people also creative? Are we getting smarter as a species? Do our beliefs about our own intelligence matter?

This book provides a highly accessible introduction to the many facets of human intelligence, with careful presentation of the wide range of theories and perspectives, past and present, regarding this complex subject. Written by a team of renowned scholars, it discusses the long history of the study of intelligence, which in many ways parallels the founding and growth of psychology itself. It will be an ideal text for students of intellectual assessment, learning and education, and psychological testing and measurement.

The Psych 101 Series Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field.