Intelligence and Survival of the Fittest

The continuously evolving and dynamic study of intelligence has fascinated scholars for centuries, making its definition highly controversial. Different academic disciplines have developed numerous theories over what intelligence is and what constitutes intelligence. Intelligence is generally perceived as the ability to learn and understand scholastic information in order to excel in an academic environment. This is the popular notion that the “straight A” student is intelligent and that intelligence can be measured quantitatively. Intelligence has also been measured through an emotional and interpersonal context, which shows that an individual’s ability to understand others and their emotions is an indication of intelligence. Other theories have evolved over the “street smart” individual that can learn, reason and understand in trying situations (Merriam-Webster.com). However, these pre-existing definitions over intelligence need to be expanded. Intelligence is the ability to effectively adapt to a dynamic environment, it cannot be measured quantitatively, and it involves manipulating and retrieving information from memory, and being able to quickly respond to any situation.

To expand the definition of intelligence, the differences between current theories over intelligence were explored. Currently, the General Intelligence theory proposed by Charles Spearmen and the Multiple Intelligences theory established by Howard Gardner represent the major frameworks over the measurement of intelligence (Cherry). Although hundreds of theories have evolved, these theories represent the primary perceptions over intelligence today. According to the General Intelligence theory, intelligence can be quantitatively measured because intelligence is only a general cognitive ability (Cherry). Spearman based his theory on a statistical technique called factor analysis, which showed that people who performed well on one mental aptitude test, would do well on others. This notion that intelligence can be measured and numerically expressed is the cornerstone of many psychometric models today (Reingold). In contrast, the Theory of Multiple Intelligences defines intelligence based on eight distinct skills and abilities that are valued within different cultures – spatial, linguistic, logical (mathematical), bodily (kinesthetic), musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic (Cherry). According to Gardner, intelligence could not be measured quantitatively because cognitive tests only provide a limited depiction of an individual’s abilities (Cherry). However, these theories only show that intelligence can either be measured quantitatively or valued by multiple skills and abilities. Intelligence is an adaptive human feature and should show how well an individual responds in a dynamic environment using these abilities. Current definitions of intelligence are highly fragmented. As there is a wide spectrum over the definition of intelligence, the purpose of this definition is to consolidate and expand on some of the pre-established notions over intelligence and show how intelligence actually allows an individual to adapt and survive. This survival of the fittest and its implications of intelligence cannot be measured quantitatively.

In order to measure intelligence, scholars have developed standardized tests to measure an individual’s relative cognitive abilities; however, these intelligence tests neglect other non-academic and survival talents. Some of the iconic figures of our time failed or dropped out of school, but are highly recognized as the smartest people in history. Thomas Edison was told in his early years that he was “too stupid to learn anything” ("50 Famously Successful People Who Failed At First”); however, his ingenuity laid the foundation for many modern day innovations. Famous for his invention of the electric light bulb and his contributions to telecommunications, Thomas Edison continues to be perceived as an intelligent individual regardless of his failures in school. Other examples of intelligent people who failed out of school include Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Princess Diana. However, these iconic individuals are undoubtedly considered intelligent for their contributions to modern day society. Intelligence tests focus on a narrow range of cognitive competences, usually problem solving skills and recognition of words and symbols. These test scores do not measure intelligence because it shows one’s adaptability to an academic environment, not others. The scores reflect an individual’s level of formal education, geographic setting, and other demographic factors including income, occupation and social class. Since intelligence tests are skewed by these factors, it cannot accurately calculate one’s ability to adapt to multiple environments. A representative quantitative measure of intelligence is not possible. Some of history’s intelligent icons have shown their intelligence through innovative thinking, leadership and by other means that allowed them to survive. Intelligence tests are also limited to individuals who can read and write; however, an illiterate individual can adequately adapt to the same environment without scoring equally well on an exam. For example, Albert Einstein did not speak until the age of four and did not learn how to read until the age of nine ("50 Famously Successful People Who Failed At First”). Even though he was illiterate for most of his childhood years, he is unquestionable a very smart individual that adapted to his environment regardless of these academic deficiencies. Many species are highly adept at adapting to their environment because they can learn and understand from experience. If intelligence is socially defined as the ability to learn, reason and understand, then any individual that can use these constructs to adapt to their environment has demonstrated some level of intelligence even though they have not taken an intelligence test. However, the validity of these cognitive tests remains a highly contested aspect of the study of intelligence.

Some critics argue that intelligence tests have statistically provided a good indicator of cognitive ability and scholastic achievement. These tests have been used to identify individuals that are likely to succeed in an academic environment. Some argue that the tests are highly reliable because it has been standardized, studied and refined for decades. Therefore, these tests can provide valuable information about an individual’s cognitive competence. Proponents of this view also argue that one’s performance in an academic environment is indicative of one’s performance in other environments. Intelligence tests can provide a helpful indication of future success in multiple environments, but not an accurate measure of one’s ability to adapt and apply their knowledge in these environments. The book-smart and street-smart individuals have socially been perceived as people who excel in completely different environments. The stark differences between these two groups show how excelling in one environment does not guarantee survival in another. Although quantitative measures can be a useful indicator of intelligence, there are many limitations in its ability to truly measure intelligence because it cannot capture the non-academic human talents and skills that contribute to adaptation and survival using academic parameters. Intelligence cannot be measured quantitatively, but it is partly characterized by the ability to retrieve and manipulate information to promote survival

The ability to retrieve and manipulate information from memory serves as a measure of intelligence and is an indication of how well an individual adapts to his or her environment. The pure regurgitation of information is insufficient in a dynamic environment because rehearsed information will promote the same, and potentially, ineffective response across different scenarios. The ability to manipulate stored information from memory to adapt to environmental changes promotes survival. Eidetic or more commonly known as photographic memory is the ability to recall information with accurate precision. Since memory is generally perceived as an important factor of intelligence, individuals with this phenomenal memory capacity are perceived as intelligent beings. However, recent studies have shown that people with photographic memory tend to be adept at one specific task only (Adams). These individuals can accurately retrieve information but fail at manipulating the data to the given circumstances. Herbert A. Simon and W.G. Chase’s conducted experiments over eidetic grand chess masters’ performances when presented with real game versus random and impossible chess piece positions. The experiment showed that the grand chess masters performed exceptionally well when given real positions but that their performance declined significantly against their chess ratings when given the random chess piece positions ("Adriaan de Groot, Chess Psychologist"). The experiment showed that memorization does not allow an individual to adapt when the circumstances change. Therefore, intelligence cannot be measured by how an individual retains these representations, it involves the extent to which the mind can apply and process the information in different situations. Survival of the fittest and the ability to retrieve past experiences and manipulate or mold them to current situations shows how well the individual really learned and understood the information. The application of former knowledge to trying situations should be a measure of whether or not the person truly learned the information in the beginning; however, some critics have argued otherwise.

Some may argue that the retrieval of rehearsed information is sufficient to adapt to an environment because drastic changes in one’s environment are unlikely and the “straight A” student can make it by through pure memorization. An individual can certainly adapt to his or her environment without the application of former knowledge and be considered intelligent by his or her peers; however, this individual is limited to one environment. The individual will struggle in trying situations and different environments. An individual will be able to survive to a limited extent based on pure memorization. An amoeba or any species, for example, will be able to survive using routine, but its survival will be limited, and changing environments will show that only the fittest survive. For example, subsequent to the Permian-Triassic extinction event, over 90 percent of all species died, indicating that only the fittest survived, which are species that were able to retrieve and manipulate information in order to take appropriate action ("Mass Extinction, Mass Die-Off Information, Prehistoric Facts"). An individual’s reaction time through quick retrieval of this information is another component of intelligence.

Another component of intelligence is the ability to quickly and appropriately respond in any situation. “There is a constant cascade of information being processed in the entire brain, but intelligence seems related to an efficient use of relatively few structures” (Science Daily). An intelligent individual can make the right decisions at the right time. Response time is an indication of anticipation, and accurate insight and foresight. The Blockbuster and Netflix rivalry over the home-video rental market illustrates how an intelligent individual must also make decisions quickly. Blockbuster’s delayed response to Netflix’s DVD-by-mail business model resulted in the dismantling of its successful traditional brick and mortar approach (Sandoval). If Blockbuster had quickly acknowledged and responded to the potential threat presented by Netflix when it initially entered the market, then its business would have survived. An individual that can respond quickly sharpens his or her competitive edge because he or she is able to explore more opportunities. The ability to make quick decisions also prevents an individual from falling behind his or her peers, or in the case of Blockbuster, its competitors. Sound adaptation to one’s environment involves keeping pace and possibly surpassing others because one’s environment is constantly changing.

However, some critics argue that the ability to quickly respond to any situation is instinctive. Reflexes and instinct can help an individual adapt to any environment. However, instinctive decisions do not always lead to good decisions. Instinctive decisions are only effective to making quick, but not always, good decisions. Instincts will therefore allow an individual to adapt to his or her environment to a limited degree.

Intelligence is a measure of how well an individual adapts to his or her environment. It cannot be measured quantitatively because intelligence tests do not accurately capture the ability to react in any environment; these scores are only an indicator. The ability to manipulate and retrieve information from memory is another component of intelligence as it indicates the extent to which an individual can apply former knowledge. An individual that can effectively retrieve and manipulate information from memory is intelligent because he or she shows that the information was actually learned and understood when initially presented. One can more adequately adapt to an environment if one does not have to relearn the information. An intelligent individual must also respond quickly to any situation because one cannot adapt to their environment if they cannot keep pace with the quick changes of their environment. As presented by current theories, intelligence is comprised of multiple components, but it is the use of these abilities to adapt and survive that truly defines intelligence.

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