Psychological Development and Education ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 144-152.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2022.01.17

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What is Intelligence? Adults' Naïve Theories of Intelligence

WANG Zhiqiao, HU Qingfen   

  1. Institute of Development Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
  • Published:2022-02-17

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Abstract: Naïve Theories of Intelligence are laypeople's empirical understandings about intelligence. As an important part of Naïve Theories, naïve theories of intelligence enrich our knowledge of how people understand the real world. The present article reviewed a wide range of studies about adults' naïve theories of intelligence through three topics:adults' concepts of the nature of intelligence, their influence factors, and adults' estimations of self and others' intelligence. Across cultures, adults' concepts of intelligence include three components invariably, i.e., problem solving ability, verbal ability, and social competence. These results resemble the conclusions scientific theories of intelligence drew. Environment, culture, and age of the prototypes also influence adults' conceptions of intelligence. Moreover, adults are mediumly accurate when estimating self and others' IQ. In conclusion, adults have mediumly precise understandings of both the components and the extent of peoples' intelligence. Personal experiences from variable sources might shape adults' naïve theories of intelligence.

Key words: naïve theory, naïve theory of intelligence, intelligence component, intelligence estimation

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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