Final answer:
Implicit theories of intelligence refer to personal beliefs about intelligence as fixed or changeable traits, while explicit theories are formal conceptions proposed by researchers, such as Sternberg's Triarchic Theory, which includes practical, creative, and analytical intelligence. Intelligence theories are supported and substantiated through empirical research and measurement tools like IQ tests. Measurement is crucial to validate and refine theories of intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between implicit and explicit theories of intelligence lies primarily in how they characterize the development and manifestation of intelligence. Implicit theories of intelligence, often referred to as lay theories or personal theories, are those that individuals hold internally but may not be able to articulate clearly. These informal beliefs shape how people perceive their own and others' intelligence, typically in terms of fixed traits or malleable qualities.
Explicit theories of intelligence, conversely, are formal, structured theories proposed by psychologists and researchers. Robert Sternberg's Triarchic Theory of Intelligence is an example of an explicit theory. It outlines three facets of intelligence: practical, which involves the ability to adapt to changing environments; creative, which relates to the ability to produce novel and useful ideas; and analytical, which includes the ability to analyze and solve problems.
To support such theories, empirical research and assessment tools are utilized. For example, intelligence tests are created to measure the constructs defined by explicit theories. The validity of these tests is linked to their ability to accurately measure the theoretical constructs they aim to assess. Researchers might use tests like the SAT to evaluate analytical intelligence or employ performance tasks to assess practical and creative aspects of intelligence as defined by Sternberg's model.
Certain measures, like the Implicit Association Test (IAT), though not directly a measure of intelligence, highlight the importance of understanding individual differences in cognition that could relate to implicit beliefs about intelligence. Measurement and theory are intrinsically linked, as the former is required to substantiate the latter. Without measures like IQ tests, it would be challenging to test, refine, or support psychological theories about intelligence.