Intelligence: Measurement and History

Intelligence

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

Psychometrics

The science of measuring mental capacities and processes

Galton

First to employ the use of a survey for research purposes, supported eugenics and selective breeding of intelligence

Binet

Commissioned by the French government to develop a test for assessing children's academic potential, developed the Binet-Simon Scale

Spearman

Identified that results from tests evaluating different elements of intelligence were positively correlated using factor analysis, resulting in a single score termed general intelligence, g

Terman

Redeveloped Binet's test to the Stanford-Binet, developed IQ formula = mental age / chronological age x 100

Factor Analysis

A statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items on a test, used to identify different dimensions of performance

L. L. Thurstone

Proposed Theory of Primary Mental Abilities, challenged Spearman's theory of one score intelligence measurements

Wechsler

Developed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and WISC for children, scoring based on normal distribution

Gardner

Proposed Multiple Intelligences theory with categories like linguistic, logic-math, music, and interpersonal intelligence

Sternberg

Proposed Triarchic theory of intelligence with analytical, creative, and practical distinctions

Heritability

The proportion of variation among individuals that can be attributed to genetics

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions

Reliability

Found when a test yields dependable and consistent scores, impacted by factors like motivation and anxiety

Predictive Validity

A test predicts what it claims to predict, such as the SAT predicting college success

Content Validity

A test is testing what it claims to be testing

Standardization

Uniform procedures used in the administration and scoring of a test

Aptitude Test

Designed to predict capabilities, like the SAT

Achievement Test

Designed to measure content mastered, like class tests or AP exams

Fluid Intelligence

Our ability to reason speedily and abstractly, tends to decrease during late adulthood

Crystallized Intelligence

Our accumulated knowledge and verbal skills, tends to increase with age