Intelligence is a multifaceted concept with numerous definitions, but it generally refers to the capacity to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, understand abstract concepts, and use knowledge to manipulate one's environment. It involves abilities such as logic, reasoning, problem-solving, and planning. Formal studies of intelligence date back to the early 20th century.
The measurement of intelligence has evolved significantly, with the creation of the first modern intelligence test by Alfred Binet in 1905. This led to the development of the intelligence quotient (IQ), a standardized score that reflects a person's reasoning and thinking abilities compared to others in their age group. While IQ tests are widely used, there is ongoing debate about whether they accurately measure "intelligence" due to the lack of a universally agreed-upon definition. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences proposes that intelligence is not a single ability but a collection of distinct types, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic and existential intelligence.
