ABSTRACT
There is no one history of the development of the concept of intelligence, but rather many histories, depending on who is doing the telling. This chapter focuses on the history of the development of the concept of intelligence, particularly with reference to theories of intelligence. To understand the history of the development of the concept of intelligence, one must understand the alternative epistemological models that can give rise to the concept of intelligence. Probably the most well known study of experts’ definitions of intelligence was one done by the editors of the Journal of Educational Psychology. Differences between cultures in conceptions of intelligence have been recognized for some time. It is important to realize, again, that there is no one overall US conception of intelligence. The early efforts of intelligence theorists largely built upon the Binetian school of thought rather than the Galtonian school of thought.
