At the end of chapter two, Shenk explains basically why we must, as our classroom posters tell us, have a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. He writes, "We can trick ourselves into thinking that measuring a person's intelligence is like measuring the length of a table. But in truth, it's more like measuring a five-year-old's weight" (51). Then in the evidence in portion we learn that according to Sternberg: "One moves along the continuum as one acquires a broader range of skills, a deeper level of the skills one already has, and increased efficiency in the utilization of these skills" (235).
What would be an example of how intelligence is merely a snapshot in time? We know that life is an ongoing process. That being said, what are some evolutionary advantages of utilizing motivation as a driving force for self-betterment. How does this concept change the way we should look at our individual lives? (Hint: Continuity and Change is one of our 6 themes of biology- use this to formulate your response)
(Jane Rose)
Intelligence is merely a snapshot in time because of the way we think, the way we act, and the way we learn. Taking an IQ test is a great example. An IQ test is designed to reflect the intelligence of any particular person. However, though I may not know the answer to a question on this test right now, because of the way I think, I will want to discover how to solve the problem. I will act upon this curiosity, and ask someone I believe knows the correct answer. This person will then tell me how to solve the problem, and had I retaken the test, it would likely have concluded that I have gotten smarter because I have answered a greater number of questions correctly. Therefore, my intelligence, as measure by the test, is now different than it was before.
ReplyDeleteThere are a variety of advantages to utilize motivation as a driving force for self betterment. There are several theories for the purposes and origins of motivation. Two of them are the Drive-Reduction Theory and Incentive Theory. The Drive-Reduction theory states that people are motivated to reduce states of tension by acquiring that which their body needs. The incentive theory states that an external goal can motivate a person to perform certain behaviors. In an evolutionary sense, both theories have profound impacts on the choices primitive humanoids would have made. However, the incentive theory better addresses the idea of self-betterment. In a hypothetical scenario, a primitive humanoid that would wish to ascend to the top of the hierarchy in a tribe would view the position of leader as an incentive. Therefore, to achieve this goal, he or she would then act in a way that would allow the person to ascend to this position. Having attained this position, the person would likely have a greater chance to survive long enough for reproduction and therefore pass down their genetic code. Favorable adaptations that allow people to use motivations to achieve better survivability rates were passed down. As described by Darwin(Campbell, 452), evolution is "descent with modification." In this case, the modification from previous generations would be the ability to be motivated.
Should this change the way we look at our lives? I would say no. We all know that our actions are usually dictated by what we want to achieve. A motivation that drives us to put in the extra mile. Sometimes, we have to perform actions we would not willingly do but in the greater scope of things, you are always getting closer to achieving your goals.
Vlad Miskevich (vladmiskevich@yahoo.com)