Personal Conceptions of Intelligence: Definition, Differentiation and Emergence as an Organizer and Integrative Model of Other Motivational Constructs

 

Luísa Faria¹

 

 

 

Abstract: This article, developing the theme of Personal Conceptions of Intelligence, will be approached from the perspective of four main topics: definition and characterization of the concept; development and differentiation; emergence and foundation of personal conceptions of intelligence as an organizer and integrative model of other motivational constructs; and future developments: intercultural studies.

Thus, we will present the reflections and the results of a series of studies, several of them cross­‑sectional and one longitudinal­‑sequential, conducted in the Portuguese educational context during the past 18 years, which aimed not only to present, define and delimitate the model of personal conceptions of intelligence, but also to apply, develop and transform it, both through the construction of adequate evaluation measures, by studying the specificities of the Portuguese cultural context with regard to the expression of differences, and also through the application of these results to other cultural contexts in the scope of intercultural studies.

Keywords: personal conceptions of intelligence, implicit theories, motivation, adolescence.

 

 

 

Concepções pessoais de inteligência: Definição, diferenciação e emergência como modelo organizador e integrador de outros constructos da motivação

Resumo: Este artigo, sobre o tema das Concepções Pessoais de Inteligência (CPI), está organizado em torno de quatro tópicos axiais: definição e caracterização do constructo; desenvolvimento e diferenciação das CPI; emergência e fundamentação como modelo organizador e integrador de outros constructos da motivação; e desenvolvimentos futuros: estudos interculturais.

Assim, apresentaremos as reflexões e os resultados de um conjunto de estudos, vários transversais e um longitudinal­‑sequencial, no contexto educativo português, conduzidos ao longo dos últimos 18 anos, que visaram não apenas apresentar, definir e delimitar o modelo das concepções pessoais de inteligência, mas também aplicá­‑lo, desenvolvê­‑lo e transformá­‑lo, quer pela construção de medidas de avaliação adequadas e do estudo das especificidades do contexto cultural português na manifestação de diferenças no constructo, quer pela aplicação desses resultados a outros contextos culturais, no quadro de estudos interculturais.

Palavras‑chave: concepções pessoais de inteligência, teorias implícitas, motivação, adolescência.

 

 

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¹ Associate Professor with Agregation. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educa­ção (FPCEUP), Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, s/n – 4200­‑392 Porto, Telef. 226 079 600; Fax: 226 079 725; e­‑mail: faria@fpce.up.pt.