How can we measure intelligence?

And what is the history of measuring the

intellect of Homosapiens? or at least modern history?
Throughout history, Homo Sapiens have attempted to break away from nature;
one of the many ties that secure us. Instead of being controlled by the whims of
mother Earth and adapting to our environment, we try and make nature and our
environment adapt to us. We have invented a great variety of tools to assist us in
this capacity. Over time, humans even started to harness nature itself--raising
plants and animals for food rather than gathering or hunting. There is little doubt
that, for the most part, present-day Homo Sapiens dominate nature.
Of course, we can debate how this practice is both beneficial and problematic,
but such debates are for philosophers. Scientists are more concerned with how
humans became so technologically efficient and how they ultimately came to
dominate other species. Of course, many variables play a role in the Human’s
rise to power, but the primary determining factor is what we call intelligence.
But there’s more to intelligence than meets the eye.
What is Intelligence?
Intelligence is a somewhat vague term. We often debate what it means, how it
should be defined, and if it’s specific to Humans. As such, I will start with a
broad definition. Dr. C. George Boeree of "Shippensburg University" describes
intelligence as a person’s ability to learn and understand information, apply that
information to solve problems, and engage in abstract reasoning.
This definition is good, but it seems to be a little lacking. And as it turns out,
Einstein has something to contribute to this conversation. In "With Other
Opinions and Aphorisms", he writes "Imagination is more important than
knowledge. Knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire
world, stimulating progress, and giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking,
a real factor in scientific research." Einstein is regarded as one of the smartest
people who ever lived.
IQ test:

Regardless of the formal definition, the way we classify intelligence is

extremely subjective. For example, person “A” might view a crow as a very
intelligent creature because it demonstrates problem-solving skills. In contrast,
person “B” sees the bird as being unintelligent because its learning curve is so
slow. Similarly, one could call Beethoven intelligent for his composing abilities,
or assert that he is merely musically inclined. So you see, measuring intelligence
has always been an issue among psychologists because seven factors were
determined: spatial factor, perception factor, verbal factor, lexical factor,
memory factor, numerical factor, and reasoning factor. And there’s still no
consensus on what should be measured when talking about intelligence. The
best thing we can come up with is IQ tests.
The first attempts to evaluate intelligence were made on students, in 1890 by the
American McKeen Catell "the mental test" to measure by a series of tests the
different aptitudes of students.
The German psychologist William Stern is the initiator of the calculation of the
intelligence quotient. Designed to evaluate children, this IQ is the ratio of mental
age to real (chronological) age multiplied by 100 and is therefore not suitable for
measuring the intelligence of adults.
The first reference intelligence scale was published in 1905 by the Frenchmen
Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon at the request of the State to detect students
with low academic abilities, this first test is called the "Test de Binet et Simon".

IQ (intelligence quotient) tests are one of the most popular ways to measure a
person’s intelligence (though these tests vary nearly as much as the very
definition of intelligence). IQ tests are tests that you cannot study, this means
that the test measures the general intellect of a person at any age. To do this,
researchers in the early 1900s developed a concept known as “Mental
age” vs “chronological age.” The rationale is as follows, if a child is six years
old, but can only perform tasks as well as a three-year-old, that child is said to
have a “mental age” of three years. One then takes the “mental age” and divides
that by the child’s “chronological age” to determine a “mental quotient.” The
six-year-old child performing at a three-year-old's rate would be said to have a
mental quotient of 0.5 (three divided by six), This number is now multiplied by
100 to get rid of the decimal, so we end up with an IQ of 50.
This seems like a silly abstract measurement, which is why scientists developed
many types of standardized tests for IQ, trying to reduce the subjective and
unscientific nature of the measurement. Modern IQ tests often measure a
person’s ability in a few distinct areas: Spatial ability (visualizing shapes and
figures), Mathematical ability (using logic to solve problems), Language ability
(solving word puzzles or recognizing words with jumbled letters, etc.), and
Memory (recalling visual or aural information). These subjects are chosen
because they are said to measure “general intelligence,” which boils down to the
ability to understand concepts rather than have previous knowledge of concepts.
A breakdown of IQ scores can be found here.:
The average score on an IQ test is 100. These labels are often given for IQ
scores:
 1 to 24: Profound mental disability
 25 to 39: Severe mental disability
 40 to 54: Moderate mental disability
 55 to 69: Mild mental disability
 70 to 84: Marginal mental disability
 85 to 114: Average intelligence
 115 to 129: Above average or bright
 130 to 144: Moderately gifted
 145 to 159: Highly gifted
  160 to 179: Exceptionally gifted
 180 and up: Profoundly gifted
IQ tests cannot accurately measure every aspect of a person’s brilliance (or lack
thereof), and results can even vary from test to test (it’s worth mentioning that
only professional, peer-reviewed tests are accurate/accepted. Online IQ tests are
just “for fun”). In recent years there have been many EQ (emotional intelligence
quotient) tests that attempt to measure a person’s ability to identify, control, and
assess emotion in others and themselves. These tests have not been widely
accepted as useful, and in no way replace current IQ testing – but they are
perhaps another way to measure a person’s mental faculty.

While IQ is often held as a steadfast measure of a person’s ability to perform

academic tasks, that’s not the whole story. Many other untested variables
contribute to a person’s intelligence--learning style, personality, mood--all of
these things can impact intelligence and can sway the results of our cherished IQ
tests.
types of inteligences:
1. LINGUISTIC INTELLIGENCE
Ability and ease to handle language and letters. Linguistic intelligence is the
most valued at school alongside logical-mathematical intelligence, which is the
unavoidable foundation of school education. Both are complementary to solving
or stating a problem. The mastery of rhetoric is a powerful asset that allows us to
nuance ideas, shape them and transmit them with precision. Mastery of language
also allows a better understanding of grammatical logic and facilitates the
learning of foreign languages.
These skills are indispensable in the literary professions, lawyers, poets, writers,
journalists, orators, and all professions that require the formulation of ideas,
thoughts, or the use of one's imagination, both orally and in writing.
2. MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE
The intelligence of musicians and composers. The ability to understand, feel,
memorize, interpret, create or appreciate music and rhythms.
3. LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE
Ability to solve abstract logical or mathematical problems, to calculate and
categorize. Handle numbers with ease, make assumptions, and understand
complex phenomena. Logical-mathematical intelligence is valued in the West,
especially in education.
4. SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE
Sense of space, architecture, and of the spatial environment. This capacity of
spatial representation allows fine virtual mental representations, and a high-
quality visual memory and allows creative faculties in artistic fields, such as
sculpture, photography, painting, and geography.
5. KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE
Physical abilities and intelligence of the body. Ability to use one's body as a
means of expression. Through sports, dance, and theater, but also fine motor
skills, craftsmen, jewelers but also surgeons.
6. INTRAPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE
The intelligence of introspection, of self-analysis, allows a good knowledge of
oneself. Analysis of one's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, knowing one's
limits and strengths. Intrapersonal intelligence is used in psychology, psychiatry,
and consulting, where the capacity for fine analysis of sensitivities and emotions
is required.
7. INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE
Fine and sharp intelligence to understand others, to anticipate, to have empathy
and tolerance. Listening to others, being sensitive to the reactions and needs of
those around you. Interpersonal intelligence allows the individual to detect the
undertones of social relationships, promote cooperation, and analyze
interactions. It is the intelligence of leaders, teachers, and also of business
people.
8. NATURALIST INTELLIGENCE
Being sensitive to the living and the environment. Naturalist intelligence is that
of observation, the ability to recognize and classify everything that makes up the
natural environment, the fauna, and flora, but also the cultural universe that
surrounds us.
9. EXISTENTIAL INTELLIGENCE
Ability to question the essence and origin of existence and things. Existential
intelligence is not considered by Gardner as full-fledged intelligence but it
allows for developed spiritual aptitudes and moral sensitivity.
conclusion:
Finally, I would like to specify that this presentation is not an invitation to
believe in IQ tests, but an incitement to believe in yourself, no one is stupid,
each of us is brilliant in a certain domain, whether it be sports, arts or other...
Intelligence is present in each of us, never underestimate yourself, and just do
what you like, automatically you'll be excellent at it. And as Steve Jobs says:
“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”