AP Psychology Unit 2 Part 2

intelligence

The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations.

general ability vs multiple abilities debate

The debate over whether intelligence is a single ability or multiple distinct abilities.

eugenics

A discriminatory field promoting reproduction for the highly intelligent and restricting reproduction for those with less desirable traits.

Galton's intelligence tests

Tests of sensory and physical strength thought to reveal mental capacity (e.g., reaction time).

general intelligence (g)

Spearman's idea that a common factor underlies all mental abilities.

factor analysis

A statistical procedure used to identify clusters of related items on tests.

multiple forms of intelligence

The idea that intelligence includes more than traditional academic abilities.

Gardner's multiple intelligences

Several types of intelligence (linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalistic).

Sternberg's triarchic theory

A theory proposing three types of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical.

mental age

A measure of intelligence test performance representing the typical age of people who achieve a given score.

intelligence quotient (IQ)

Stern's formula: (mental age / chronological age) × 100.

Wechsler's performance scale

A set of tasks measuring nonverbal skills such as pattern matching, picture completion, and symbol search.

special education identification

Using tests to identify students needing extra services (both below and above norms).

standardization

Consistent test administration and comparison to a representative sample.

normal curve

A symmetrical distribution of scores where the mean is 100 and SD is 15 on IQ tests.

Flynn Effect

A rise in average intelligence test scores over time (about 3 points per decade); possibly due to better nutrition, healthcare, and living standards.

test-retest reliability

The degree to which an assessment yields similar results over repeated administrations.

split-half reliability

The degree to which two halves of a test are equally difficult and correlate.

predictive validity

How well a test forecasts future performance (e.g., SAT predicting college grades).

construct validity

How accurately a test measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure.

achievement tests

Tests that measure what someone knows (e.g., final exams, AP exams).

aptitude tests

Tests that attempt to predict future performance (e.g., SAT, ACT).

fixed mindset

The belief that intelligence is static and unchangeable.

growth mindset

The belief that intelligence can improve with effort and learning.

cross-sectional study

A study comparing different age groups at one point in time.

cohort effect

A confound in cross-sectional research where differences are due to group experiences, not age.

longitudinal study

A study that follows the same group over time.

mortality effect

A longitudinal confound where participants drop out over time, biasing results.

culture-fair test

Assessments designed without cultural bias; contain culturally neutral items.

stereotype threat

When awareness of negative group stereotypes causes anxiety and lowers performance.

stereotype lift

When positive group expectations boost performance.