Intelligence is almost a housedhold word,the concept has been described in many different ways for example,the ability to think abstractly to recognise relationships and learn to adjust to new situation and circumstances.But what exactly it means to be intelligent?
According to Davies(1983:434)in Mwamwenda (1995:191) Intelligence is the ability to learn quickly,solve problems ,understand complex and abstract issues and generally behave in a reasonable rational and purposeful manner.
Mwamwenda(1995:191)further asserts that intelligence is,"what enables a person to think ,act and behave in a manner that is normally acceptable to his society ,thus facilitating his adjustment socially ,intellectually and physically.
Therefore intelligence refers to a person's ability to adjust to his environment and behave in rationality.
Earlier views of intelligence has two factor theory.According to this theory intelligence is made up of two factors or abilities which are general and specific intelligence,and was advanced by Charlse Spearman.
General intelligence is highly determined to be successful in any performance activities in major general performance on intelligent tests items.
Specific intelligence ,is specific to a particular abilities or tests.
Thurstone further argues that intelligence could be broken down into a number of primary abilities.He developed primary ability test with the following mental abilities.
Primary abilities includes verbal meaning of comprehension ability to understand the meaning of words.Word fluency means the ability to express itself fluently in words.Spatial visualisation is to visualise objects and figures as they rotate ,whilst numerical ability to work with figures.
Intelligence also include memory,the ability to store and recall information,reasoning as the capability to plan and solve problems in terms of rules principles and experience.Perceptual speed at which objects can be accurately perceived.
Howard Gardner (1983)says that intelligence is not a single something.In his contemporary approaches to intelligence he come up with seven types of intelligence and the eighth one added to the list by critics of the gardner's theory, these are known as frames of mind:
♦Linguistic(verbal intelligence) the ability to communicate.
♦Logical mathematical intelligence in problem-solving in analytical and ligical way.
♦Spartial intelligence which is the ability to understand space.
♦Musical intelligence ,the ability to analyse and compose music or play musical instruments.
♦Movements ability intelligence to be able to control body movements.
♦Intra personal intelligence ,the degree to which you know and understand yourself and your behaviour.
♦Inter personal intelligence where an individual has comprehension and sensitivity for other people.
Among the seven intelligence categories emphasised by Gardner. The role of brain conditioned in our culture to be intelligent. These intelligence are located in a specific area in the brain.Intelligence could be impaired if the brain damaged.
He was criticised for his musical abilities as one of the seven primary types of intelligence.Critics point out there are brilliant sports persons in soccer,basket ball,criket,etc ,surgeons ,researchers ,gardners or farmers.This lead to assume that there should be the eight intelligent type.
The media and internet are the comfortable zone of gaming and gamers.Culture will determine the type of intelligence to be developed,for example through games children can able to identify the point of interests and work out possibilities of improving performances and become successful.Gaming skills can now shared globally ,even for the children from one corner to the other in another far corner can play the game at the same time.Well designed games help children to think in ways we never think is possible.They begin to think in the new innovative ways.
Electronic games just like ,books ,magazines ,movies,and other TV programmes are pools of things beneficial in human lives through providing education and entertainment. Which is now referred as 'Edutainment'.
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