Psychology Chapter 8: Intelligence, IQ Testing & Heritability

How do cultures define intelligence differently?

European Americans view intelligence as reasoning and thinking skills, while Kenyans see it as responsible participation in family and social life.

What is the definition of intelligence in Canada?

Intelligence is defined as an all-purpose ability to do well on cognitive tasks, solve problems, and learn from experience.

What is the purpose of intelligence tests?

Intelligence tests measure a person's intelligence quotient (IQ).

What does validity refer to in the context of intelligence testing?

Validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it purports to measure.

What is reliability in intelligence testing?

Reliability refers to the stability of scores on a test over time.

What is standardization in intelligence testing?

Standardization involves developing uniform procedures for administering and scoring a test.

What is Spearman's g?

Spearman's g is a measure of general intelligence, indicating a person's overall cognitive ability.

What is savant syndrome?

Savant syndrome is a rare condition where individuals with significant mental disabilities display extraordinary abilities in a specific domain.

Who constructed the first intelligence test?

Alfred Binet constructed the first intelligence test.

What is the Stanford-Binet test?

The Stanford-Binet test is a widely used intelligence test that measures mental age (MA) against chronological age (CA).

How is IQ calculated using mental age?

IQ is calculated by comparing an individual's mental age to their chronological age.

What are the three versions of the Wechsler intelligence scale?

The three versions are WAIS (for ages 16+), WISC (ages 6 to 16), and WPPSI (for children as young as 2½).

What is the Flynn effect?

The Flynn effect refers to the observed rise in IQ scores over generations, necessitating the re-norming of IQ tests.

What does heritability indicate in terms of intelligence?

Heritability indicates how much of the variation in intelligence within a population can be attributed to genetic differences.

What is the heritability estimate for intelligence?

The heritability of intelligence is estimated to be approximately 50-80%, depending on age and population studied.

What are environmental influences on intelligence?

Environmental influences include dietary supplements, educational interventions, interactive reading, preschool, and socioeconomic status.

What is giftedness in terms of IQ?

Giftedness is defined as an IQ of 130 or higher.

What constitutes intellectual disability?

Intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ of less than 70 and deficits in conceptual, social, and practical skills.

What are the two types of intellectual disabilities?

The two types are organic disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome) and cultural-familial disabilities (no evidence of organic brain damage).

What are Sternberg's three types of intelligence?

Sternberg's three types are analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence.

What are Howard Gardner's nine types of intelligence?

Gardner's nine types include verbal, mathematical, spatial, musical, existential, naturalist, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and bodily-kinesthetic.

What is a common misconception about heritability?

A common misconception is that highly heritable traits are entirely determined by genes; environmental factors also play a significant role.

What is the relationship between intelligence and success in life?

Success in life is often related to different forms of intelligence, as measured by IQ tests.

What is the significance of the mental age in IQ testing?

Mental age is significant as it helps determine a child's IQ by comparing their performance to that of peers at different ages.

What is the role of environmental factors in achieving intelligence potential?

Environmental factors, such as education and socioeconomic status, can influence whether individuals reach their maximum intelligence potential.