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Intelligence Tests
Intelligence testing is the complex process of measuring an individual’s ability to understand ideas and words, think in abstract terms, solve problems using different forms of reasoning, learn from feedback and experience, and process information in different modalities, such as visually or aurally. The intelligence quotient (IQ) is usually the result of this assessment process. Intelligence testing is also known as intellectual or cognitive assessment or IQ testing, with these terms being used interchangeably. This entry first describes intelligence and theories of intelligence before giving a brief history of intelligence testing in the United States. It then looks at why intelligence testing is used; psychometric issues related to measurement of intelligence; intelligence testing across the life span; strengths and weaknesses of, and misconceptions about, intelligence ...
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a statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items (factors) on a test; used to identify different dimensions of performance that underlie one's total score
what is general intelligence (g)
underlies specific mental abilities and is therefore measured by every task on an intelligence test
a condition in which a person otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific skill, like computation or drawing
what are three aspects of successful intelligence according to Sternberg's triarchic theory
Analytical (academic problem-solving)- assessed by intelligence tests, well-defined problems with one right answer
creative-reacting adaptively to novel situations and generating novel ideas
practical intelligence-required for everyday tasks, often ill-defined with multiple solutions
what is emotion intelligence
the ability to perceive, understand, manage and use emotions
why is it difficult to define intelligence
because it is a socially constructed concept that differs from culture to culture.
what are the two big controversies in current research on intelligence
whether it is one overall ability or many
whether neuro scientists can locate and measure intelligence within the brain
what does it mean to reify intelligence
to treat it as though it were a real object not an abstract concept
what is a current definition of intelligence
the ability to learn from experience, solve problems and adapt to new situations
what are the eight independent intelligences that Gardner proposes
linguistic, logical-mathmatical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinestetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, natural
what are four aspects of emotional intelligence
ability to perceive emotions, understand emotions, manage emotions and use emotions
what is the relationship between creativity and intelligence
different brain areas are active when we engage in convergent thinking (intelligence test) and divergent thinking (multiple imaginative solutions
is there a correlation between brain size and intelligence
recent studies support this to some degree. Direction of relation is not clear.
what is an intelligence test
a method for assessing an individual' mental aptitudes and comparing them with those of others, using numerical scores
a measure of inteligence test performance devised by Binet. The chronological age that most typically corresponds to a given level of performance. Thus a child who does as well as the average 8 year old is said to have a mental age of 8
What is Intelligence quotient (IQ)
the ratio of mental age to chronological age multiplied by 100. Today the average performance for a given age is assigned a score of 100
a test designed to predict a person's future performance; aptitude is the capacity to learn
what is an achievement test
test designed to assess what a person has learned
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
the most widely used intelligence test; contains verbal and performance subtests
defining meaningful scores by comparison with the performance of a pretested standardization group
the symmetrical bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many physical and psychological attributes. Most scores fall near the average, and fewer and fewer scores lie near the extremes
the extent to which a test yields consistent results, as assessed by the consistency of scores on two halves of the test, or on retesting
the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
the extent to which a test samples the behavior that is of interest
the behavior (college grades) that a test (SAT)is designed to predict. Does the test have predictive validity
define predictive validity
the success with which a test predicts the behavior it is designed to predict; assessed by computing the correlation between test scores and the criterion behavior
Who developed the first intellegence test
Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon in France
define mental retardation
a condition of limited mental ability, indicated by and intelligence score of 70 or below and difficulty in adapting to the demands of life; varies from mild to profound
a condition of retardation and associated physical disorders caused by and extra chromosome in one's genetic makeup
what is a stereotype threat
a self confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype
is intelligence inherited
studies of twins, family members and adopted children support idea that genetics do contribute to intelligence.
what does heritability of intelligence refer to
the extent to which variation in intelligence test scores in a group of people being studied is attributable to genetic factors.
is there environmental influence on individual intelligence
yes, environmental influence is significant
are intelligence test biased
they are sensitive to performance differences caused by cultural experience. But not considered to be significantly baised