Psychology: Intelligence

Intelligence

The ability to learn from experience and solve problems; using knowledge to adapt to new situations.

Speaman's Two Factor Theory

Theory that held that certain factors underlined specific mental abilities. These factors where measured by activities on an intelligence test.

Factor Analysis

Statistical method used to determine if two or more items correlate, forming a cluster.

S Factor

Specific factor tied to a specific area of function.

G Factor

General factor relating to all clusters of function.

Howard Gardener

Held a theory that divided intelligence into eight separate parts: Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Musical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Naturalist.

Stephen Ceci

Proposed the bio-ecoloogical model of intelligence, suggesting that intelligence is a function of interacting biological potential, environment, and motivation.

Emotional Intelligence

Ability to process emotion in thinking or reasoning.

Social Intelligence

Ability to function in social settings.

Wisdom

Ability to make sound judgments.

Creativity

Ability to generate original, creative ideas.

Personality Characteristics

Intelligence is the cognitive part of personality.

Alfred Bienet

The father of IQ tests

Intelligence Test

A method of assessing an individual's mental aptitudes and comparing them to others using numerical scoring.

Psychometric Approach

The measuring of intelligence through psychological testing.

Mental Age

Intellectual age at which a person is functioning.

Intelligence Quotient

Ratio of mental age to actual age multiplied by 100.

Standardization

The use of uniform principles: the test must function the same in any sample/group, resulting in a normal curve.

Reliability of a Test

Consistency in measurement

Validity of a Test

Accuracy of Measurement

Content Validity

How well does a test measure what it was intended to measure.

Validity coefficient

Correlation between measurement scores and external criterion.

Normal Distribution

Symmetrical bell curve that describes many physiological and psychological attributes. Most scores fall near an average with very few being near extremes.

Woodcock IQ Test

Most popular today

Effectiveness of IQ Tests

They have high degrees of reliability and are predicative of school performance. There is a high correlation between scores and number of years of schooling.

Flynn Effect

The rise of average IQ score over time through out the world.

Genetics and IQ

IQ is tied to biological family

Studies on Genetic Influence

People who are the most genetically similar, have the most similar scores.

Best Predictors of IQ

Socioeconomic status and Mother's IQ

Brain Size

General intelligence is often associated with the number of neurons in the frontal lobe.

Brain Speed

How fast the brain will respond to stimuli

Electroencephalography

The quickest accurate perception of a picture is related to higher intelligence scores.

Nerve Conduction Velocity

The speed of impulses across synapses.

PET Scans

Can show differences in glucose metabolism between active brain areas and inactive areas. The left prefrontal part of the brain is active during verbal tasks, but both prefrontal areas are active during spatial tasks.

Group Differences

Differences between groups and environmental impacts can have effects.

Stereotype Threat

A self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based upon a negative stereotype.

Expectations and Attitudes

Affect our behaviors and perceptions. When told you won't do well on something, you probably won't.

Stereotype Threat Studies

African Americans score higher on IQ tests if the proctor is African American. Women score lower on tests when taking them alongside women. Women in chess often do worse if they think or know they are playing against a man.

Mental Retardation

A condition characterized by limited mental ability. Indicated by an IQ score less than 70 and produces a limitation in the ability to adapt in life. Varies from mild to very profound.

Down's Syndorme

Retardation associated with physical disorders caused by an extra chromosome in one's genetic makeup.

Mild Retardation

Usually not recognized until school age. Benefits from schooling and is linked to environmental occurrences.

Giftedness

Evident at a young age with various environmental contributors. Intrinsically motivated, though giftedness may occur in only one area and not others.