Intelligence has an innate basis. Yet, a number of scientists indicate how smart you become is dependent on your environment (Sternberg, 2009). To put it another way, you can shape and even increase your intelligence through various types of programs and interventions. According to Sternberg’s theory of intelligence, intelligence has three dimensions. These concern a person’s a) information processing, b) management of their living environment, and c) personal experience.
Information processing comprises three different types of components used to plan, monitor, and evaluate problems that require solving. Second are performance processes that one uses to implement planning, monitoring, and evaluation components. The final component of information processing is knowledge acquisition and people use these processes to gather resources to solve problems that they face. Examples of these components include goal setting for planning activities, self-evaluation as a form of monitoring, and seeking help as a method for obtaining additional resources to succeed.
Sternberg’s theory of intelligence assumes that we apply our intelligence in three ways to manage our environment. First, we must adapt ourselves to our existing environments. Second, we must shape our existing environment to create new sustainable environments. Third, we must select new environments as necessary to achieve our goals. For instance when you first start a new job, you probably try to figure out the implicit and explicit rules of your corporate culture. You then try to use these rules to succeed in your new company. You can also shape your new company by creating a social club or users group for after work activities. Finally, if you are unable to adapt yourself or shape your new work environment to suit you needs, you might consider selecting a new job where you can better achieve your goals.
Our level of experience affects how well we perform each task that we perform. Each of us faces tasks in conditions with which we have varying levels of experience. As tasks become progressively more familiar, many parts of the tasks may become automatic. They need little conscious effort for determining what steps to take next and how to accomplish the next step. New and unfamiliar tasks can make demands on intelligence that are different from those of tasks from which one has developed automatic procedures.
In the end your goal should be to increase your familiarly with the skills required in each of the three dimensions of intelligence. For example these skills include problem solving, planning, logic, and word comprehension among others. Continue to read this blog for more information on how to get smarter.
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