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Sternberg's Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

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Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Aron Blesch

April 22, 2012

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

According to Gross (1996), Sternberg’s (1988) triarchic theory of intelligence combines the

elements that go into information processing and is more extensive than his earlier 1985 work (see

Sternberg, 1985). The theory is made up of three sub-theories that attempt to explain the relationship

between intelligence and the internal and external world of the individual; the analytical, creative,

and practical comprise each sub-theory category respectively. Sternberg (1990) stated that

understanding the nature of the components of intelligence is not alone sufficient to understand the

nature of intelligence because there is more to intelligence than a set of information processing

components. Sternberg held that we could scarcely understand what makes one person more

intelligent than another, by only understanding the components of processing based on an

intelligence test.

In terms of analytical intelligence, Sternberg (1988) focused on inductive reasoning, the kind

of thinking necessary in series completion tasks and analogies, for example, “A is to B as X is to?”

Sternberg believed that indentifying performance factors could provide a greater understanding into

the character of Y. The other two sub-theories address features of intelligence that may cause

individual differences in observed performance in both test and non-test situations (Gross, 1996). To

Sternberg, intelligent thought is not aimless or random, but rather is directed towards behavioral

goals relevant to the life of the individual: adaptation to an environment, and selection and shaping of

an environment (Gross, 1996). Regarding adaptation, Sternberg wrote, “What is intelligent in one

culture may be viewed as unintelligent in another” and “... to understand intelligence, one must

understand it … in terms of how thought is intellectually translated into action in a variety of

different contextual settings …” (Sternberg, 1990).

According to Kassin (2008), there are different ways to be smart in Sternberg’s view. The

three part triarchic model breaks down intelligence into analytical, creative, and practical

intelligences. For example, someone may be book smart but lack creativity and street smarts.
STERNBERG’S TRIARCHIC THEORY OF INTELLIGENCE 3

Another person may be creative, but lack analytical and practical skills; another may be quite

practical but lack the creative and analytical abilities others have. Sternberg (1986) stated that

incorporating the components of analytical, creative, and practical intelligences can provide a

blueprint for “successful intelligence.” Moreover, Sternberg hypothesized as to why so-called

intelligent people fail. Sternberg suggested that intelligent people fail due to: a lack of motivation, a

lack of impulse control, a lack of perseverance, a fear of failure, procrastination, the inability to delay

gratification, and due to having too little or too much self-confidence.

What Sternberg (1986) stated regarding behaviors that contribute to failure certainly resonates

with Western values and views of success. The extent to which Sternberg’s theory is useful in

psychological treatment is less certain, however. Certainly, the therapist ought to assume the patient

is an intelligent person and offer a supportive environment accordingly. Letting the client call the

shots, creating a warm and caring relationship, exhibiting empathy, and having unwavering genuine

respect is an intelligent framework to help foster more successful therapeutic outcomes (Kassin,

2008). Furthermore, Sternberg’s hypothesis of why intelligent people fail could be deconstructed in

therapy. The therapist could use the theory with the aim of gaining insight into the patient’s own

triarchic blueprint. To what extent Sternberg’s theory could then be used as a frame of reference to

remediate cognitive and behavioral deficiencies is an open question that is beyond the scope of this

short paper.
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References

Gross, R. (1996). Psychology, the study of mind and behavior. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

Kassin, S. (2008). Psychology in modules. New York: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Sternberg, R.J. (1985). Beyond IQ. A triarchic theory of human intelligence. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.

Sternberg, R.J. (1986). Why intelligent people fail. Retrieved from

Sternberg, R.J. (1988). The triarchic mind: A new theory of human intelligence. New York: Viking.

Sternberg, R.J. (1990). Metaphors of mind. Cambridge: Cambridge Universtiy Press.

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