From IQ to IC: A dispositional view of intelligence

Abstract

Traditional psychometric views of intelligence tend to be ability‐centric in nature, stressing the presence of a set of abilities, skills, knowledge, and/or processing capability. However, an alternative to this prevailing paradigm is possible. Specifically, intelligence might be construed as a collection of cognitive dispositions that capture one's tendency to engage in certain patterns of thinking. The author examines what such a characterological conception of intelligence might look like, reviewing the current thinking about the nature of dispositions and about which dispositions most influence good and productive thinking. The author concludes the examination with a discussion of what a characterological conception of intelligence might mean to education.