Intelligence and IQ Testing

Intelligence

The brain's capacity to understand, learn, and adapt to new situations.

Measuring Intelligence

Psychologists use benchmarks to compare one's intelligence to others, but defining intelligence remains challenging.

Correlation

The relationship between two variables, with the strength indicated by the absolute value.

Positive Correlation

A relationship between two variables that move in the same direction.

Negative Correlation

A relationship between two variables that move in opposite directions

Who developed the first intelligence test

Binet and Simon developed the first intelligence test in 1905 consisting of diagnostic tools that measured thinking abilities

Used strategies such as naming objects, generate word meaning, and drawing from memory

Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon

Developed psychological tests to identify children who are in need of special education

Abstract Thinking

Involves understanding hypothetical concepts and thinking beyond literal interpretations.

Concrete Thinking

Understanding a concept or phase literally without higher levels of thinking

Cultural Views of Intelligence

Differ across Western, Eastern, and Indigenous perspectives, emphasizing reasoning, wisdom, and inclusive talents, respectively.

General Intelligence Theory

Spearman's theory posits a general intelligence factor (g) influencing specific abilities (s).

Spearman’s Belief about Intelligence

We need G for everything and only S for specific abilities

Example of general intelligence

Ability to able to grasp new concepts, solve problems creatively, and adapt to new situations efficiently

Specific Abilities

Knowing how to swim, being good at math, being good at singing, etc

What did Raymon Cattell and John Horn theorize?

Intelligence is a mix of two capacities, fluid and crystalized intelligence

Fluid Intelligence

Reasoning ability, and the ability to generate and manipulate different information in real time

Crystallized Intelligence

Stored knowledge accumulated over the years

Refers to general knowledge, vocabulary, and experiences accumulated over time.

Howard Gardener’s Multiple Intelligence Theory

Gardner suggests eight different intelligence types influencing career choices.

Gardener’s 8 Types of Intelligence

1. Linguistic

2. Logico-mathematical

3. Spatial

4. Musical

5. Bodily-Kinesthetic

6. Interpersonal

7. Intrapersonal

8. Naturalistic

Gardener’s criteria for different intelligences

Brain damage, autism, and evolutionary factors

Problems with Gardener’s Theory

1. Hard to measure

2. Difficult to determine what could be considered intelligence

Triarchic Model’s 3 Types of Intelligence

1. Analytical (reasoning and logic)

2. Practical (real-world problems)

3. Creative (Creating, discovering, and inventing

Sternberg’s Triarchic Model

Sternberg's model identifies analytical, practical, and creative intelligence as distinct types with some weaknesses in proving independence.

Weaknesses of the Triarchic Model

1. Difficult to prove a causal relationship between performance and practical intelligence

2. Not enough evidence that the distinct types of intelligence are independent.