AP Psychology: Testing & Individual Differences Guide

Psychometrics

The scientific study of the measurement of human abilities, attitudes, and traits.

Standardization

Procedures used to ensure uniformity in testing and scoring.

Norms

Data used to interpret individual scores by comparing them to a pretested group.

Reliability

The consistency of a test's results.

Validity

Whether a test measures what it's supposed to.

Intelligence

The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt.

g Factor (General Intelligence)

Spearman's theory that a general intelligence underlies all mental abilities.

Multiple Intelligences (Gardner)

Linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic.

Triarchic Theory (Sternberg)

Analytical, Creative, and Practical intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Perceiving, understanding, managing, and using emotions (Goleman).

Alfred Binet

Developed the first intelligence test (Binet-Simon scale) to identify students needing help.

Lewis Terman

Adapted Binet's test into the Stanford-Binet IQ test.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Originally: mental age / chronological age × 100

Wechsler Scales

WAIS (adults), WISC (children); includes verbal and performance subtests.

Flynn Effect

The rise in average IQ scores over time.

Heritability

The proportion of variation in intelligence among individuals attributable to genetic factors.

Twin Studies

Identical twins raised apart still show similar intelligence, supporting nature.

Environmental Factors

Education quality, nutrition, stimulation, socioeconomic status, etc.

Giftedness

Usually IQ over 130.

Intellectual Disability

IQ below 70 and limitations in adaptive behavior.

Cultural Bias in Testing

Tests may reflect language and experiences of the dominant culture.

Trait Perspective

Personality is composed of stable traits.

Big Five (OCEAN)

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Objective Tests

Self-report inventories.

Projective Tests

Ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious motives.