The cognitive capacity of the human being is one of the most researched aspects by psychology. The concept of intelligence has varied throughout history, although for the most part it has been considered as the capacity to solve problems and adapt efficiently to the environment.

There are theories that consider it a single general ability, or a set of hierarchical abilities subordinated to a basic ability, while other theorists see this concept as a set of more or less independent abilities that allow us to adapt successfully. One of the existing theories that try to explain how intelligence is structured is Robert J. Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence .

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Sternberg’s triarchic theory: general concept

Sternberg’s triarchical theory of intelligence is based on his conception that the traditional and hierarchical models of intelligence are not exhaustive given that they do not account for the use that is made of intelligence itself, limiting themselves to conceptualizing its nature and functioning without observing how it is linked and applied in a real context.

Thus, this theory considers that the measurement of intellectual capacity has focused on only one aspect of intelligence , ignoring other aspects of great relevance that form cognitive skills by themselves. In conclusion. Sternberg states that it is not enough to see what is done, but also how and why, when it comes to acting.

For Sternberg, intelligence is all mental activity that orients to the conscious adaptation to the environment and to the selection or transformation of this with the purpose of predicting results and being able to actively provoke the adaptation of one to the environment or of the environment to one. This is the set of thinking abilities used in the resolution of more or less daily or abstract problems.

The conception of this author approaches the vision of intelligence as a set of capacities instead of a single unitary and unchangeable element.It is from this idea and from the perception that other theories do not establish how intelligence is linked to the real world that the author establishes his theory of triarchical intelligence, whose name is due to the consideration of three types of intelligence.

The three types of intelligence

Sternberg elaborates a theory according to which he considers the existence of three types of intelligence that explain the processing of information on an internal, external and interaction level between both.

In other words, it considers the existence of three basic capabilities that determine intellectual capacity . Specifically, it establishes the existence of analytical intelligence, practical intelligence and creative intelligence.

1. Analytical or compositional intelligence

For Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence, analytical intelligence assumes the capacity to capture, store, modify and work with information . It is the closest to the unitary conception of intelligence, referring to the capacity to establish plans and manage cognitive resources. Thanks to analytical intelligence we can perform mental operations such as defining, making decisions and generating solutions.

In this intelligence we can find the elementary components or processes that allow us to work on the cognitive representations of reality , modify them and pass them through a processing that allows us to give an answer.

These components can be divided into metacomponents or control processes that allow decisions to be made and mark how to think and act as well as planning, the performance or realization components which are set in motion from the metacomponents and allow these plans established by them to be carried out and the acquisition components which allow the learning and obtaining of information .

2. Practical or contextual intelligence

This type of intelligence refers to the capacity of human beings to adapt to the environment in which they live. In the first place, the organism tries to survive from what already exists in the environment, taking advantage of the opportunities it offers to adapt .

However, if this is not possible, the person will have to establish other mechanisms in order to adapt and survive. These other processes are the selection of environments and stimuli in order to improve their situation and/or the shaping of the environment in cases where it is not possible to change the environment, in this case making modifications in the environment itself to better adjust its possibilities.

For example, a person who is hungry may select the environment and move to a place where there is an abundance of food or take advantage of elements present in the environment that were not previously part of their diet to feed themselves, or they may decide to modify the environment by gardening their own food. It is about applying cognitive skills for adaptive purposes.

3. Creative or experiential intelligence

This type of intelligence is considered as the integration of the information obtained from the outside with our psyche . In other words, it is that type of skill that allows us to learn from experience. It is also linked to creativity and to the resolution of problems not previously experienced.

In this sense Sternberg notes that the degree of novelty of the experiences and tasks is important. Ideally, the task can be new to a moderate degree, so that the subject can create and react to new stimuli while possessing some tool to enable him/her to cope with them.

Another relevant aspect is automation , that is, the ability to replicate a behaviour or knowledge without requiring a conscious effort. Repeating tasks on various occasions allows them to be mastered and reduces their level of novelty and the need for attention to each basic element that is part of them. The higher the level of automation, the higher the level of resources available to successfully tackle other tasks.

Bibliographic references:

  • Hernangómez, L. and Fernández, C. (2012). Personality and differential psychology. Manual CEDE de Preparación PIR, 07. CEDE: Madrid.
  • Martin, M. (2007). Historical and conceptual analysis of the relations between intelligence and reason. Spain: Universidad de Málaga.
  • Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A Triarchic Theory of Intelligence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.