ABSTRACT
Charles Spearman (1927: 14) expressed the exasperated view of many when he said ‘in truth, “intelligence” has become a mere vocal sound, a word with so many meanings that finally it has none’. In the intervening years many have added their voices to the chorus of potentially confusing definitions and opinions on what is intelligence. However, Deary (2000) has wisely observed that there are two types of definition of any term that may be offered. The first is to offer a precise statement of meaning. The second is broadly to outline the boundaries and limitations of what a term means. Deary comments that to attempt to offer a precise definition of intelligence is fruitlessly to offer a hostage to fortune; in contrast, to attempt to outline broadly what we mean when we use the word intelligence is certainly possible and indeed useful.
