Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

The triarchic theory of intelligence is a theory of human intelligence developed by the psychologist Robert Sternberg that proposes intelligence is better understood as three distinct components working together rather than as a single general ability measured by traditional psychometric tests. Analytical, or componential, intelligence covers the academic problem-solving and analytical skills measured by conventional tests. Creative, or experiential, intelligence covers the capacity to deal with novelty and to generate ideas that are original and useful. Practical, or contextual, intelligence covers the capacity to adapt to, select and shape one's real-world environment in order to achieve personal or culturally valued goals. Sternberg defined intelligence broadly as purposive mental activity directed at adapting to, selecting and shaping real-world environments relevant to a person's life, and the theory has influenced education by encouraging assessment and instruction that value creative and practical ability alongside the analytical skills that conventional testing emphasizes most heavily.