Metaphors of Mind: Conceptions of the Nature of Intelligence

by Robert J. Sternberg PhD

Overview

This text enables readers to understand human intelligence from a variety of standpoints, such as psychology, anthropology, computational science, sociology, and philosophy. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept of intelligence and how ideas about it have evolved and are continuing to evolve. Much of the present confusion surrounding the concept of intelligence stems from our having looked at it from these different standpoints without considering how they relate to each other or how they might be combined into a unified view that goes beyond the boundaries of a particular discipline.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521386333
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/27/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.83(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; List of tables; Part I. Introduction: 1. Metaphors as foundations for theories of intelligence; Part II. Definitions of Intelligence: 2. Historical views of intelligence; 3. Contemporary views of intelligence; 4. The seminal views of Galton and Binet; Part III. Theories of Intelligence Looking Inward: 5. The geographic metaphor; 6. The computational metaphor; 7. The biological metaphor; 8. The epistemological metaphor; Part IV. Theories of Intelligence Looking Outward: 9 The anthropological metaphor; 10. The sociological metaphor; Part V. Theories of Intelligence Looking Inward and Outward: 11. The systems metaphor; 12. Implications of the metaphorical approach.

Editorial Reviews

"Explores metaphors that have been used to illustrate the different theories of intelligence, discussing how these metaphors—and the theories they reflect—relate to one another." Science News

"Sternberg's is an interesting and important book, and like most of Sternberg's writings it is clear, well-referenced, and suggestive." H. J. Eysenck, Personality Individual Differences

"The book is an entertaining and argumentative one for the individual already conversant with the literature." American Scientist

"...provides an integrative framework for comparing one theory to another. This is an important and original contribution....a major intellectual contribution to the field. I shall use it in my own research and teaching, and I urge others to do the same." Earl Hunt, Contemporary Psychology

From the Publisher