Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

practical intelligence
According to 
Sternberg, intelligence related to 
overall success in living.
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Module 26 
What Is Intelligence? 
285
Noting that traditional tests were designed to relate to academic success, Stern-
berg points to evidence showing that most traditional measures of intelligence do 
not relate especially well to career success (McClelland, 1993). Specifi cally, although 
successful business executives usually score at least moderately well on intelligence 
tests, the rate at which they advance and their ultimate business achievements are 
only minimally associated with traditional measures of their intelligence. 
Sternberg argues that career success requires a very different type of intelligence 
from that required for academic success. Whereas academic success is based on 
knowledge of a specifi c information base obtained from reading and listening, practi-
cal intelligence is learned mainly through observation of others’ behavior. People who 
are high in practical intelligence are able to learn general norms and principles and 
apply them appropriately. Consequently, practical intelligence tests, like the one 
shown in Figure 3, measure the ability to employ broad principles in solving everyday 
problems (Sternberg & Pretz, 2005; Stemler & Sternberg, 2006; Stemler et al., 2009). 
In addition to practical intelligence, Sternberg argues there are two other basic, inter-
related types of intelligence related to life success: analytical and creative. Analytical 
intelligence focuses on abstract but traditional types of problems measured on IQ tests, 
while creative intelligence involves the generation of novel ideas and products (Benderly, 
2004; Sternberg, Kaufman, & Pretz, 2004; Sternberg, Grigorenko, & Kidd, 2005). 
Some psychologists broaden the concept of intelligence even further beyond the 
intellectual realm to include emotions.  Emotional intelligence  is the set of skills that 
underlie the accurate assessment, evaluation, expression, and regulation of emotions 
(Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004; Humphrey, Curran, & Morris, 2007; Mayer, Salovey, 
& Caruso, 2008).
Emotional intelligence is the basis of empathy for others, self-awareness, and 
social skills. It encompasses the ability to get along well with others. It provides us