Intelligence can be defined in many different ways. This concept has been the focus of numerous studies and investigations by psychologists and other scientific experts. Intelligence can be the mental ability to reason, plan ahead, understand a wide range of complex issues, and learn from past experiences (Gottfredson, 1997). Intelligence is the “result of the process of acquiring, storing in memory, retrieving, combining, comparing and using information and conceptual abilities in new contexts” (Humphreys, 1979). Intelligence is commonly measured through the use of a variety of scales and quantitative measures. measures, such as the Intelligence Quotient (IQ), developed by Alfred Binet in the early 20th century to identify which French children needed more attention from their educators. The use of IQ tests has gradually spread to all parts of the world. The use of these tests has raised controversy among psychologists and educators, with supporters of IQ tests assuming that the tests produce measures of genetically transmitted intelligence. On the other hand, critics of the tests have pointed out that the IQ test provides a measure that defines intelligence through the use of cultural deterministic concepts. The ethnocentrism inherent in the assumptions of many commentators has generated justification for a number of theoretical approaches, such as those of Charles Murray and others (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/850358. stm) . The dichotomy between the idea that intelligence levels are influenced by situational factors and the idea that intelligence is transmitted genetically has dominated psychological debates about IQ over decades. Claims made by many commentators that intelligence depends on genetic factors have been… the focus of the article… c factors, but to education, parental supervision, and other situational and environmental factors. BIBLIOGRAPHY Gottfredson, L.S. (1997) "Preface to "Intelligence and Social Policy". Intelligence Volume 24 (number 1): pp. 1–12. Humphreys, L.G. (1979). "The Construct of General Intelligence." Intelligence. Volume 3 (number 2): pp. 105–120. Marshall, G. (1994) (ed.), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (Oxford: Oxford University Press. Safer, M.A. (1980). Attributing evil to the subject , not to the situation: students' reaction to Milgram's film on obedience. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 6, 205–209. 1999). /www.sonoma.edu/users/g/goodman/zimbardo.htm