E-Portfolio Entry 2

Foundations of Human Intelligence

I am drawn to this theory on

intelligence; Fluid intelligence is
being flexible and adaptive in
learning. Just like water takes the
shape of its environment, we
learn what we need to survive.
crystallized learning is the ability
to use our learnt knowledge
(Raymond Cattell, presentation
slides).
In my words, I would say, Fluid intelligence relates to the things that we do when in
survival mode and do not even stop to think before doing and can be enhanced by the
knowledge and experiences that we have acquired in crystallized learning.

1. What did you learn about the definition of intelligence? How did this
affect your understanding of what intelligence is?

There is still lots to learn in other to have a true understanding the definition of
intelligence because even the experts are not in agreement on what exactly that it is.
I believe that intelligent is not just the ability to be know a lot about one thing but it is
more about being well rounded in cognitive and social abilities, creative abilities
(slide, defining human intelligence).

2. Do you think its important to understand individual differences in

people? Refer to the study of phrenology and physiognomy in your
response.
It is important to understand differences in people and as we can understand why
they do the things that they do and what we can learn to live harmoniously with
them. With the study of phrenology, we can gain insight into the personality
characteristics of our brain and how they work. Per the video presented, in Week 2,
on phrenology, there are 35 major regions in our brain arranged in 5 major areas. A
deficiency or excess in any one area can lead to negative behaviour in a human that
may have negative consequences to themselves or other humans. Being able to
study this information can lead to further research, and the discovery of ways to
provide balance for these individuals.

3. Explain how phrenology has resulted in a better understanding of the

brain and how it works. Did this information surprise you? Why or why
not?
Study of the brain that determines that different areas of the brain are responsible
for different personality characteristics. An excess in one area results in one
behaviour and a deficiency results in a different behaviour. I dont think that
surprises me because I have had some exposure to the study of psychology, but it
gives me a greater understanding of myself and the people around me. I always
wondered; why people would hurt and even kill others? Having that knowledge
through the study of phrenology will help scientists further study the brain and
devise ways to stabilize those who would cause harm to themselves and others due
any imbalance in their brain. I am quite fascinated by this and will be exploring this
information more even after this course is over.
4. Evaluate Michio Kakus arguments about the evolution of intelligence as
presented in class content. What does he say that makes sense and what
does he say that maybe doesnt make sense? Use evidence to support
your thoughts.
I agree with Michio Kaku that humans are more intelligent than animals and was in a
sense meant superior to animals. What he says makes sense to me I always
considered humans to be more superior to animals. Animals can communicate on
basic levels with humans, only when taught by humans to do so. Humans, on the
other hand can communicate to fellow humans through motions, language and written
word, leaving a written legacy for the next generations. Interesting point that solidified
my belief was that fact that although humans are 98.5% genetically equivalent to
chimpanzees. We live twice as long and possess thousands of words in our
vocabulary as opposed to the few hundreds that can be learnt by a chimpanzee. To
summarize, Michio Kaku makes a good point; teaching a chimpanzee or another
animal to communicate with humans only makes them more human-like, for me that
is proof that we have evolved to me the more intelligent specie (presentation slides,
Michio Kakus video on the evolution of intelligence). Animals are intelligent in their
own realm, humans however have been able to communicate to other humans and to
other animals species.

Part B

1. What could you have done differently in completing this entry?

I would have completed the entry immediately after finishing the session
 2. What did you learn about intelligence by completing this entry?
I have learnt about the varying views about what is intelligence, although there is
consensus that it is related to our brain activity.

3. Outline the steps you took to complete this entry. What was your thinking
during each step?

I read the notes and summary and completed the lesson activities and watched the
video as I went along. During each step I tried to relate the information given to
situations in my own life, family, friends and school that I can connect with the
information, and therefore retain it better.

4. How does your learning from this section of the course relate to other
courses?
My learning in this course reinforces what I am currently doing in Psychology for
Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour.