As a child, Manoranjan saw his father making and repairing musical instruments. Once, a guest artist while performing in a show broke his guitar, Manoranjan immediately repaired it. Using Sternberg's theory of intelligence, identify which element of intelligence is evident here?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Experiential
Sternberg’s triarchic theory has three forms of intelligence: componential, experiential and contextual.
Option (1) Componential — Incorrect. Componential or analytical intelligence is the analysis of information to solve problems; persons high on it think analytically and critically and succeed in school. Manoranjan did not analyse a problem on paper; he drew on what he had seen and did the job at once.
Option (2) Experiential — Correct. Experiential or creative intelligence is involved in using past experiences creatively to solve novel problems. As a child Manoranjan had watched his father make and repair instruments; when the guest artist’s guitar broke during a show, a new problem, he used that experience to repair it.
Option (3) Contextual — Incorrect. Contextual or practical intelligence is the ability to deal with environmental demands encountered on a daily basis, by adapting to, selecting or modifying one’s environment. The case turns on past experience applied to a new problem, not on handling everyday demands.
Option (4) Street smartness — Incorrect. ‘Street smartness’ or ‘business sense’ is another name for contextual intelligence, so it fails for the same reason as Option (3).
NCERT (2025-26): “Experiential Intelligence: … Experiential or creative intelligence is involved in using past experiences creatively to solve novel problems. It is reflected in creative performance. Persons high on this aspect integrate different experiences in an original way to make new discoveries and inventions. They quickly find out which information is crucial in a given situation.…” “Contextual Intelligence : … Contextual or practical intelligence involves the ability to deal with environmental demands encountered on a daily basis. It may be called ‘street smartness’ or ‘business sense’. Persons high on this aspect easily adapt to their present environment or select a more favourable environment than the existing one, or modify the environment to fit their needs. Therefore, they turn out to be successful in life.…” |