Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants' conceptions of intelligence

The present study examined the factor structure underlying Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants’ conceptions of intelligence and found seven major constructs that Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants believed that an intelligent individual frequently exhibits: Interpersonal Intelligence, General Cognitive Ability, Self-Regulatory Ability, Intellectual Detachment, Intrapersonal Intelligence, Intellectual Self-Effacement and Exceptional Performance. Five related but not identical constructs that Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants perceived important in characterizing an intelligent individual were: Inter- & Intra-personal Intelligence, Effective Leadership, General Cognitive Ability, Intellectual Detachment and Exceptional Performance. In addition, Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants’ views of intelligence were only partially similar to those held by Taiwanese-Chinese nationals. While Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants continued to value interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence and general cognitive ability, new views about intelligence were formed. Lastly, the association between conceptions of intelligence and acculturation was examined. Findings showed that Taiwanese-Chinese immigrants’ conceptions of intelligence were related but weakly to acculturation.