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Triarchic theory of intelligence was proposed by Robert Sternberg in 1985. He views intelligence as "the ability to adapt, to shape and select environment to accomplish one’s goals and those of one’s society and culture". According to this theory, there are three basic types of intelligence: Componential, Experiential, and Contextual.
(i) Componential Intelligence: It is also called analytical intelligence. It is is the analysis of information to solve problems. Persons high on this ability think analytically and critically and succeed in schools. This intelligence has three components, each serving a different function.
• First is the knowledge acquisition component, which is responsible for learning and acquisition of the ways of doing things.
• Second is the meta or a higher order component, which involves planning concerning what to do and how to do.
• Third is the performance component, which involves actually doing things.
(ii) Experiential Intelligence: It is also called creative intelligence. This is involved in using past experiences creatively to solve novel problems. It is reflected in creative performance. Persons high on this aspect integrate different experiences in an original way to make new discoveries and inventions. They quickly find out which information is crucial in a given situation.
(iii) Contextual Intelligence: It is also called practical intelligence. This involves the ability to deal with environmental demands encountered on a daily basis. It may be called 'street smartness' or 'business sense'. Persons high on this aspect easily adapt to their present environment or select a more favourable environment than the existing one, or modify the environment to fit their needs. Therefore, they turn out to be successful in life.