According to Wechsler, the definition of Intelligence includes -
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Ability to think rationally and deal effectively with the environment
Option (1) Mental alertness and agility — Incorrect. Alertness and quickness of mind are single qualities of an intelligent person. Wechsler’s definition speaks of a global, all-round capacity, not of one such quality.
Option (2) Quickness in learning — Incorrect. Speed of learning is again one narrow quality. Wechsler understood intelligence in terms of its value for adaptation to the environment, not the speed of learning.
Option (3) Ability to communicate well — Incorrect. Effective communication is named as part of cognitive capacity in the Indian tradition of intelligence, not in Wechsler’s definition.
Option (4) Ability to think rationally and deal effectively with the environment — Correct. Wechsler, whose intelligence tests are most widely used, defined intelligence as the global and aggregate capacity of an individual to think rationally, act purposefully, and to deal effectively with her/his environment.
NCERT (2025-26): “Intelligence … Alfred Binet was one of the first psychologists who worked on intelligence. He defined intelligence as the ability to judge well, understand well, and reason well. Wechsler, whose intelligence tests are most widely used, understood intelligence in terms of its functionality, i.e. its value for adaptation to environment. He defined it as the global and aggregate capacity of an individual to think rationally, act purposefully, and to deal effectively with her/his environment.…” |