In a discussion of intellectual giftedness, the author describes the main characteristics that differentiate information processing theories from psychometric theories. Interrelationships between components and factors are considered, and implications of the theory for the training of the gifted are pointed out. (SB)

Searches for an understanding of developmental scholar William Kessen, and of what he was trying to teach in his later years. Discusses possible sources of Kessen's dissatisfaction with the field of child development, and whether any of these issues can be resolved in ways that Kessen might not have fully anticipated. Summarizes the main lessons…

Successful intelligence is the ability to attain life goals by adapting to, shaping, and selecting environments and recognizing and dealing with strengths and weaknesses. Research on the measurement of analytical, creative, and practical abilities validates the theory and the usefulness of triarchic instruction in finding a career path. (Contains …

Discusses applications of theories and research in psychology to understand controversies generated by two recent articles, explaining the need to distinguish between rational and intuitive thinking, recognize the power of context, think reflectively, and realize the costs of defying the crowd, and noting steps one can take to be wiser and more…

The "transitive-chain" theory of syllogistic reasoning proposes that information about set relations is presented in memory by pairs of informational components and that information about set relations is integrated by applying a small set of rules to transitive chains that are found by rearranging informational components stored in…

The centrality of intellectual abilities is discussed in terms of two evaluative criteria, given the combined acronym GENECES: (1) the "generality" of the ability in performances on tasks requiring adaptation to, selection of, and shaping of real-world environments; and (2) the "necessity" of these abilities in performing tasks. (Author/LMO)

Argues that IQ tests work only for some people some of the time. Offers a theory that emphasizes the roles in intelligence of information-processing, the environmental context, and coping with novelty and automatization of task performance, as a possibility for improving levels of prediction. (CMG)

Studied the efficacy of the triarchic theory of intelligence as a basis for predicting adaptive functioning in a rapidly changing society, that of Russia. Results of intelligence measures administered to 452 women and 293 men show that analytical, practical, and creative intelligence all relate in some degree to self-reported everyday adaptive…

Cultural context should be taken into account in our research so that we characterize how people behave in their everyday lives, not just a sterile laboratory environment. Much developmental research treats children as though they group in a sociocultural vacuum. Such research misses important points about development. The article illustrates the…

This final report reviews the main theoretical and empirical developments concerning components of individual differences in human intelligence. The report is divided into three main sections. The first briefly reviews alternative approaches to understanding the nature of intelligence. The second provides the proposed componential metatheory, a…

Three experiments are reported investigating experts' and laypersons' conceptions of intelligence. In the first experiment, persons studying in a college library, entering a supermarket, and waiting for trains in a railroad station were asked to list behaviors characteristic of either "intelligence,""academic intelligence,""everyday intelligence,"…

Although there seems to be widespread agreement that new approaches to studying intelligence should combine the differential and cognitive (information processing) approaches in isolating components of intelligence, researchers disagree about how the approaches should be combined and, consequently, about how elementary components of intelligence…

Proponents of new theories should not attempt to demolish one another's theories. Instead, they should try to bring about a blend of ideas that would be productive for both science and society. (JBM)

This paper presents a description of four schools of thought on the nature of intelligence, some findings that have emerged from them, and an indication of how these findings reveal a common core of generalizations across the various schools. (Author/SJL)

A pentagonal implicit theory of giftedness and five criteria for designating a person as gifted are considered. Research with 24 college students and 39 parents of gifted children assessed whether this theory captures people's intuitions about giftedness and whether they use these criteria to evaluate others. Implications for educational practice…