True IntelligenceDespite the fact that intelligence quotient testing has been around for decades, many professionals attempt to determine the factors and causes behind aptitude. Several options exist to explain or refute the reasons why some people achieve above-average intellectual levels, while others do so to varying degrees. Some of these alternatives, as well as arguments on topics related to general and human intelligence, will be found in the following discussion pages. General intelligence is a real process, which involves several distinct elements and reasoning skills. In the words of Goertzel and Pennachin (2007) “General intelligence is the ability to achieve complex goals in complex environments” (p. 59). Examples of this can be easily found in daily life, such as a lawyer preparing a major case, business executives managing multiple stores in different counties, as well as general contractors erecting skyscrapers in a downtown area. While some people are able to perform very well in such situations, others would be challenged to the point of absolute exhaustion or be unable to complete these tasks. Notwithstanding the technical requirements of these professions, the dissimilarity between the results shown can be attributed to the difference between the general intelligence factors of each subject. Disagreeing with parts of this week's article, as provided by (Macionis, 2010, pp. 266-267), people who live in prosperity are not necessarily smarter than those who are less fortunate. While it is true that wealthy people have better educational opportunities than their counterparts, many gifted people come from humble beginnings. Such examples clearly raise widely stated questions......middle of paper......this is tenuous at best. An intelligent person can also be uneducated. Likewise, the opposite can also be true; therefore, my ultimate position is that rich people are not necessarily smarter than poor people. When it comes to rationalizing inequality, further testing of human intelligence should in no way encourage the practice of such betrayal; but there are many other honorable uses to continue the search for answers in this area. Since many adverse issues exist within social classes, we should proceed responsibly in considering the ramifications of these findings. Works Cited Goertzel, B. and Pennachin, C. (2007). In Artificial General Intelligence. Heidelburg, NY: Springer Berlin. Retrieved July 31, 2010 from Google Books database. Macionis, J. (2010). Sociology (13th edition ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc..