Abstract

CLIMENT BONILLA, Juan B.. Individual competencies: from third parties’ expectations to personal identity. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.1, pp.51-70. ISSN 1409-4703.

Nowadays, people’s academic and job performance predictions refer primarily to two formal approaches: the first, and oldest one, focuses on the measurement of people’s intelligence, and the second one, which dates from a few decades ago to today, on the assessment of individual competencies. The main purpose of this article is to sustain the value of personal identity, beyond the value conferred to intelligence and performance assessments, in order to improve teaching and learning processes for an integral development along life. In the framework of a qualitative research, the article was based on the analysis of three themes and their interrelation: a) qualitative and quantitative intelligence dimensions, b) biological and non-biological factors of mental abilities, and, c) personal identity as a construct of introspective learning and thinking. The research results -of a theoretical-qualitative nature- provide elements that can serve for the improvement of teaching and learning processes of individuals and groups at different educational stages and contexts. The limitations of intelligence tests (IQ) and standardized tests of competence, for the development of personal identity through education, are addressed.

Keywords : Competencies; competency-based education; lifelong education; personality development; cultural identity.

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