Sternberg’s Information Processing Theory of Intelligence 

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Robert J. Sternberg was a well-known psychologist whose work mainly focused on human intelligence and creativity. He proposed the Triarchic theory of intelligence in 1985. It Is concerned with the way human beings process information to perform a mental task.

Sub Theories

The Triarchic Theory comprises three sub-theories: the contextual sub theory, which is related to practical intelligence; the experiential sub theory, which relates to creative intelligence; and the componential sub theory, which is related to analytical intelligence.

Contextual sub theory

This theory proposes that intelligence is concerned with the individual’s environment, i.e., the way one functions in their daily circumstances.

Experiential sub theory

This sub-theory states that experience is continuous where intelligence can be used from novel to automation situations.

Componential sub theory

Componential Sub theory is formed of three types of mental components:

Meta components

Ability to monitor, control, and evaluate to solve problems, make decisions and plans.

Performance components

Ability to bring the plans and decisions into action.

Knowledge-acquisition components

Ability to acquire new information to carry out plans and ideas.

What are the 3 Types of Intelligence According to Sternberg?

Each sub theory comes with a different type of intellectual ability:

Analytical Intelligence

It is a person’s ability to assess information and solve problems.

Creative Intelligence

It is the ability to do something in an innovative way to create new ideas.

Practical Intelligence

It is the ability to solve problems and adapt to changing environments.

According to Sternberg’s model, development is a continuous process and is based on an individual’s skills. Sternberg’s theory has proved to be very helpful in studying human intelligence and how an individual processes information.