Intelligence is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as the ability to acquire and apply knowledge. When we talk about knowledge, we generally use it in terms of education. The level of education that a person has achieved is then what most often determines the amount of knowledge they have accumulated. Nonetheless, with this definition of intelligence in mind, one could possibly consider the average person intelligent. After all, even a person who has never been to school a single day in his life is able to acquire knowledge and apply it to certain areas of his life. Acquiring and applying knowledge could be something as simple as demonstrating how to clean a floor and then performing the job using the newly acquired know-how. What we can deduce from these different perspectives on intelligence is that every human being has some degree of intellect. . Howard Gardner and Robert Sternberg are a few theorists who have developed theories based on such views. They each proposed compelling theories based on the view that a child's intelligence can be viewed as a number of specific abilities (Santrock, 2009, p. 300). Howard Gardner proposed that there are eight types of intelligence. He suggested that everyone possesses all of these intelligences to varying degrees. The eight states of mind he suggested were: verbal, mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic (Santrock, 2009, p. 301). Robert Sternberg developed the triarchic theory of intelligence. This theory states that intelligence comes in three forms: analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence (Santrock, 2009, p. 300). To summarize these two theories...... middle of paper ...... I would look together. Talking animals amused him more than anything. Still, even though she doesn't seem that intelligent to most people, I know she is. She can sense when others are in pain or when they are excited. Sure, she may not understand everything to the fullest, but I know she understands a lot more than people want to give her credit for. Overall, this sums up my opinion on intelligence. So-called “intelligent people” are not the only ones who can be classified as intelligent. Education means a lot and does even more for people by making them smarter and giving them a way of life, but that's not all. I believe that intelligence goes much further.ReferencesSantrock, JW (2009). Development across the lifespan: Physical and cognitive development during middle and late childhood (12th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill