Question

What do you think are the indicators of intelligence in a child or adolescent? Based on your readings, how would you explain what intelligence is. Please focus on the age group with which you plan to work and the setting in which you plan to work

Answer 1

The definition of intelligence I support is the definition which says: "Intelligence is the individual's capacity to think rationally, act purposefully and deal effectively with the environment."

For the children the indicators could be being able to manage self care or ask for help wherever needed for self care, dealing with peers and environment effectively, being able to manage themselves in a school set up with rules and norms and capability of their literacy skills.

For adolescents: Obviously what was mentioned for the children holds through because they should have reached the aforementioned characteristics in childhood before moving into adolescents else it could indicated a situation of delayed development.

However, a few pointers which do get added are dealing with the physical, cognitive, psychological, social and sexual changes which this stage brings in abundance. The more the individuals is able to resolve the conflicts effectively the more will be the confidence and the more will be strength and higher will bring the intelligence, self esteem and self efficacy.

I deal with intelligence and population at all levels.