Psychology unit 10

G Factor

General intelligence factor underlying all specific mental abilities (Spearman)

Factor Analysis

Statistical procedure identifying clusters of related items (e.g., geometry and algebra)

Crystallized Intelligence

Accumulated knowledge and verbal skills

Fluid Intelligence

Ability to think speedily and abstractly

Linguistic Intelligence

Ability to effectively speak and write

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

Facility and adeptness with math and calculation

Spatial Intelligence

Ability to manipulate three-dimensional objects

Musical Intelligence

Ability to play instruments and sing

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

Ability to control one's body movements skillfully

Intrapersonal Intelligence

Ability to understand oneself and regulate one’s inner life

Interpersonal Intelligence

Ability to communicate and interact effectively with others

Naturalistic Intelligence

Ability to understand and categorize aspects of the natural environment

Savant Syndrome

Condition in which a person has extraordinary talent in one area but deficits in others

Analytical Intelligence

Basic academic problem-solving and reasoning skills (Sternberg)

Creative Intelligence

Ability to generate novel and valuable ideas and solutions (Sternberg)

Practical Intelligence

“Street smarts”—applying knowledge to real-world contexts (Sternberg)

Creativity

Ability to produce novel and valuable ideas; involves imagination, risk-taking, and intrinsic motivation

Emotional Intelligence

Ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions of oneself and others

Mental Age

Age level at which a person performs intellectually, as measured by Binet

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Mental age divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

Terman’s U.S. adaptation of Binet’s test, standardized for American students

Wechsler Intelligence Scales

Intelligence tests measuring multiple cognitive domains and providing deviation IQ scores

Performance Test

Assesses intelligence through hands-on tasks

Observational Test

Assesses skills while being observed performing a task

Self-Report Test

Inventory or survey assessing personal traits or abilities

Aptitude Test

Measures potential for learning new skills (e.g., SAT, ACT)

Achievement Test

Measures acquired knowledge and proficiency (e.g., AP exams)

Standardization

Process of administering a test uniformly to establish norms

Norms

Established average scores from a representative sample for comparison

Normal Distribution

Bell-shaped curve where most scores cluster around the mean; 68% within one SD, 95% within two

Reliability

Consistency of test scores across time or across test halves

Validity

Degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure

Content Validity

Extant to which test items represent the full domain of the construct

Predictive Validity

Extent to which test scores predict future performance

Heritability of Intelligence

Proportion of variation in intelligence attributable to genetic factors (≈50–70%)

Twin Studies on Intelligence

Higher IQ similarity in identical twins (80% together, 70% apart) than fraternal twins

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Factors such as early intervention, schooling quality, and enriched environments

Gender Differences in Intelligence

Females often excel in verbal tasks; males in spatial/math; overall IQ similar

Racial/Ethnic IQ Score Differences

Average IQs vary by group (White ~100, Black ~85, Hispanic ~88–89) due to socio-economic/cultural factors

Test-Retest Reliability

Consistency of test scores when the same test is administered at different times

Split-Half Reliability

Consistency of results between two halves of the same test