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Redefining Intelligence: The Complexities and Cultural Aspects of Intelligence

By Lexxie Padron

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I always thought I was a pretty smart kid because that is what I was told growing up. That is, until I got to college. Then, the imposter syndrome hit hard. I didn't understand why it felt like my peers were so much more intelligent than me. Feeling that I was not good enough in the academic world made me wonder, who determines what intelligence means?

Upon further observation, I realized that intelligence is more complex than it seems. Much of what we think of as intelligence is determined by what those around us define it as, and the cultural norms or expectations we grow up with . Would someone considered intelligent in the United States be deemed the same in another country? Maybe, but maybe not.��

So, how do our cultural experiences affect how we view intelligence?

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Multiple Intelligences

When examining how culture influences intelligence, it is essential to realize that intelligence is interpreted differently in every society because it does not exist in one singular form. A popular intelligence theory is Howard Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which essentially says that intelligence is based on eight categories. These eight categories include naturalist intelligence, interpersonal (with others) intelligence, intrapersonal (self) intelligence, musical intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily-kinetic intelligence, linguistic intelligence, and logical-mathematical intelligence. He concluded that everybody has these eight intelligences, but each to a varying degree.

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Cultural Perspectives on Intelligence

Gardner's theory is correct in the fact that we all have varying degrees of intelligence, with a few valid criticisms. Each culture prioritizes a different aspect of intelligence. In Western cultures, such as the U.S., intelligence is usually defined as the ability to adapt, solve problems, and learn from past experiences. This definition most closely correlates with logical and mathematical intelligence.��

In other cultures, that is not so much the case. In Africa, for example, intelligence is shown in someone's naturalist and intrapersonal capabilities. A person is considered intelligent if they can facilitate and maintain health and well-being within their group. In Eastern cultures such as China, intelligence has many factors, some of which include intellectual self-assertion and intellectual self-effacement. Intellectual self-assertion means you know when to show you are smart, and intellectual self-effacement means knowing when to hide the fact that you are smart. These ideas are more in line with the linguistics component of intelligence and learning how to express yourself verbally in a way that communicates your meaning and how you would like other people to see you.

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Societal Expectations of Intelligence

Our societal expectations about intelligence also influence how we identify if someone is intelligent. In the East, intelligence comes with age and wisdom; the most intelligent people are the elders. In Western cultures, intelligence is depicted more as young and innovative people.

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Emotional Intelligence

On a more positive note, the blending of cultural ideas and consideration of other societies in recent years has helped introduce the concept of emotional intelligence into people's minds. Emotional intelligence is a person's ability to use and understand their emotions, as well as those of others. It includes 5 prominent factors: empathy, motivation, communication, self-regulation, and self-awareness.

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Redefining Intelligence

When you are in college, it is easy to view intelligence through the narrow lens of test scores and GPA. However, intelligence is a complex topic that does not have one singular correct definition. How intelligent we are and how we view what characteristics are essential is heavily dependent on the culture we grew up in. Intelligence does not have a clear-cut definition since it varies among cultures and situations. So, it may be time to redefine what intelligence means.��

If you ever question your intelligence, try to broaden your view of intelligence and consider how your cultural upbringing shaped your ability in a particular area. It may be hard to make yourself feel better when you still have to operate in the Western world's view of intelligence. However, it makes it easier on yourself when you realize that your strengths differ from those around you. Once you realize this, you can use those strengths to your advantage. For those who already fit the Western definition of intelligence, it is crucial to take into account these cultural differences to make a more inclusive society and try to embrace our cultural differences to challenge the academic definition of intelligence.��

References��

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BENSON, ETIENNE. “Intelligence across cultures.” American Psychological Association , 1 February 2003, https://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/intelligence. Accessed 18 October 2024.

Marenus, Michele. “Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligences.” Simply Psychology , 2 February 2024, https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html. Accessed 18 October 2024.

Narvaez, Darcia F. “Older and Weaker, or Older and Wiser?” Psychology Today , 2 December 2018, https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/moral-landscapes/201812/older-and-weaker-or-older-and-wiser.

Pogosyan, Marianna. “How Culture Wires Our Brains.” Psychology Today , 26 January 2017, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201701/how-culture-wires-our-brains. Accessed 18 October 2024.

Sternberg, Robert J., and Elena L. Grigorenko. “Intelligence and culture: how culture shapes what intelligence means, and the implications for a science of well-being.” National Insitutes of Health (NIH) , 11 August 2004, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/instance/1693428/pdf/15347533.pdf.