Practical Intelligence: Its Measurement

Introduction

Practical intelligence is one among various multiple intelligences that have been proposed in recent years. Sternberg and his research team (Sternberg et al., 2000: xi-xii) are the only researchers, however, to have undertaken a systemic programme to measure practical intelligence and to assess its criterion-related validity. They claim to have shown that it is not only independent of the well-documented general intelligence factor, g (Carroll, 1993; Jensen, 1998), but also ‘arguably … a better predictor of success’ in life.

Constructs Assessed

Sternberg and his colleagues do not actually measure practical intelligence, but what they refer to as its ‘important aspect’, tacit knowledge.

Practical Intelligence

Sternberg and his colleagues define practical intelligence as ‘the ability to solve real-world everyday problems’ and, most broadly, ‘the ability to adapt to, shape, and ...

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