Larry Steele
PORTfolio
10.12.10
Sternberg’s Intelligence Theory
Many theories describe human beings but only one theory helps individuals fully
understand the multiple aspects of intelligence. Robert J. Sternberg studied the facts on the
human brain and the multiple intelligences that human beings withhold. The multiple
intelligence theory by Sternberg consists of successful, practical, creative, and analytical
intelligences. The theory helps readers understand all types of intelligences used by different
people and also helps the readers depict which intelligence they most likely replicate.
Successful intelligence thinkers understand their strengths and take advantage of them
while at the same time understanding their weaknesses and finding ways around them to assure
success. Successful intelligence thinkers may sometimes be misjudged by others, believing that
they are dumb because they may lack some book smarts or do not do as well in school. In reality,
successful intelligence thinkers do not just have the abilities to succeed, but also know how and
when to use them. Like the two boys approached by the Grizzly Bear, the successful intelligence
thinker had the advantage and knew what he had to do to survive, which was to simply outrun
the “more smart” boy who did not know how to quickly react (Sternberg 127). Incidents like
these make successful intelligence a big key in surviving in everyday life, rather than just
succeeding in the classroom. I am not the best, smartest, or hardest worker in the classroom, but
in everyday life I prevail over others who are not successful intelligent thinkers. By making key
decisions that others do not and would not come up, I would classify myself as a successful
intelligent individual.
Analytical intelligence reflects more on an individual’s ability to analyze things. By
evaluating ideas, making decisions and solving problems comes very easily. “Analytical
intelligence is essential for success in the workplace—it enables individuals to evaluate, explain,
critique, and analyze the world around them (Sternberg/Stewart 22)”. Companies, businesses,
and corporations all over need analytical thinkers to be successful with new ideas and solutions
to problems. Analytical thinkers also stride off of several other intelligences to make everyday
life just as easy as evaluating and solving problems.
Practical intelligence is simply holding a great quantity of common sense. With the
ability to figure out what is needed to survive or succeed in a certain area and doing so, practical
intelligent individuals are very adaptive. Jobs and organizations that require abilities rather than
good grades, usually hire practical thinkers. Human beings with common sense make it far in life
as “they need practical intelligences they can implement, contextualize, use, and apply
(Sternberg/Stewart22)”. I also withhold a great amount of common sense, although I lean more
to successful intelligence, I can relate the two intelligence theory’s to each other. Just like
“Celia”, my school work appears good but not great, yet I am a very good hard worker because
of common sense I withhold (Sternberg 141).
Creative intelligence is going beyond and creating different and interesting ideas.
Creative thinkers are sometimes referred to as “over-achievers”, as they may do more than they
are required or do the requirements in a matter that they stand out from the others. I consider
myself to be very creative. If something is broken or a substitute of some sort is required, I will
fulfill or fix it. Like the creative classroom exercise with the art of tearing paper, I made my
personal poster stand out by making in different and even 3-dimensional. Being different is not
always a bad thing, it can get you far in life and also help you out when you are amongst people
to be chosen for a narrow slot.
Overall, Sternberg has documented and discovered the different intelligence theories that
human beings withhold. With successful, analytical, practical, and creative thinkers, everyone
differs. Pros and cons of every type of thinking appear clearly and adjustments or failure must be
accepted by everyone. All human beings have different brains and along with that come different
patterns and ways of thinking or interpreting certain traits. Sternberg has helped people
understand more clearly how other people think and gives the patterns and traits that consist in
the mind of that specific intelligence.
Works Cited
Sternberg, Robert J. Successful Intelligence: How Practical And Creative Intelligence
Determine Success In Life. New York: Plume, 1997.
Sternber, Robert J., and J.W. Stewart. Examining Intelligence . Mahwah,
NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc, 2006. 22 -27. Print.