UCI Psychology 9C Chapter 11 Fall 2016 Midterm 2

Psychometric Approach

emphasizes the results of psychological tests

Psychometrics

the design and use of tests to measure psychological attributes

Reliability

the consistency of a test's results

Validity

the extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure

Factor Analysis

statistical technique summarizing the relationships among test scores; can be used to determine whether if something common between them affects them all

Intelligence Tests

Binet's Test; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Binet's Test

score reflects the Intelligence Quotient (IQ), computed using mental age and chronological age

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

contain verbal, perceptual, and other subtests; Deviation score IQ (mean, SD)

General Intelligence (g)

mental attribute required for virtually any test

Fluid Intelligence

ability to deal with new and unusual problems; more affected by age, depression, fatigue, alcohol consumption

Crystallized Intelligence

an individual's acquired knowledge; Specific Intelligences - specific verbal, numerical and spatial abilities contribute to intelligence test scores

Typical Components of Intelligence Tests

Mental Speed; Working Memory Capacity; Executive Control; Other contributions to Intellectual Function

Mental Speed

Simple Reaction Time; Choice Reaction Time; Inspection Time

Simple Reaction Time

how quickly one can detect a stimulus

Choice Reaction Time

how quickly one can select the correct response to a stimulus

Inspection Time

how quickly one can discriminate between two stimuli

Working Memory Capacity

ability to store and process multiple bits of information simultaneously

Executive Control

processes whereby we launch mental actions, redirect attention, and shift strategies

Goal Maintenance

mental activities that keep our goals in mind to guide selection of the next action

Other Contributions to Intellectual Functioning

life experience, motivation, attitude toward intellectual challenges, willingness to persevere when a problem becomes frustratingly difficult

Genetic Contributions to Intelligence

Twin and Adoption Studies; Heritability Ratio-Proportion of Total Population Variance That Is Due to Genetic Differences

Twin and Adoption Studies

suggest a substantial genetic component to intelligence

Heritability Ratio-Proportion of Total Population Variance That Is Due to Genetic Differences

50% to 60% of the variability observed in intelligence reflects genetic variability

Environmental Contributions to Intelligence

Environment Changes; Flynn Effect

Environmental Changes

impoverished environments reduce intelligence; improving the environment increases it

Flynn Effect

worldwide IQ has increased over the past few decades

Gene/Environment Interactions

genes determine potential intelligence; environment determines extent to which potential is realized

Group Differences in Intelligence

Sex Differences; Race Differences

Sex Differences

some weak evidence that males outperform females on tests of mathematical and visuospatial abilities but overall no sex difference in IQ

Sex Differences: Biological Explanations

spatial abilities may relate to levels of the male hormone testoterone

Sex Differences: Sociocutlural Explanations

young boys receive more support and encouragement for work in mathematics than do young girls

Race Differences

the mean IQ of white Americans exceeds that of African Americans by 10 to 15 points

Race Differences: Genetic Explanations

no link between IQ and European vs. African ancestry

Race Differences: Test Bias Explanations

racial difference remains on abstract tests with no linguistic or cultural component

Race Differences: Environmental Factors

example: poverty

Race Differences: Stereotype Threat

stereotypes can negatively affect the performance of members of a stereotyped group