intelligence
the ability to acquire knowledge, learn from experience, and use reasoning to adapt in different environments
aptitude test
predicts future performance in an ability; assesses specific types of mental abilities and the ability to learn; for ex: ACT, SAT
achievement test
measure a person’s mastery and knowledge (info. already learned); for ex: AP psych test
standardization
uniform procedures used in administration and scoring of a test; for ex: all students aren’t allowed calculators on portions of the PSAT to ensure every student has an equal chance of scoring well
norms
provide meaning to scores and information about where a score on a psychological test ranks in relation to other scores; for ex: norming ap psych exam scores to the scale 1-5 grading scale
percentile
indicates the percent of people in the testing population who score at or below your score
reliability
consistency of scores
test-retest reliability
measuring the stability/correlation of a test overtime; same test to same person at a different time; same test to different groups
alternate form reliability
using parallel measurements comparing their correlation; different test (same context and difficulty) to the same person
split-half reliability
measures the extent to which all parts of the test contribute equally (correlate) to what is being measured; looking within 1 test given at 1 time
inter-rater reliability
the degree to which (correlation) different raters give consistent measurements; high = agreement between raters; low = different opinions
validity
asks does the measurement tool assess what it’s designed for?
content validity
does the measurement tool full assess all components of the behavior/topic/theory being studied?
criterion-related validity
does a specific component of the measurement tool truly assess the behavior/topic/theory being studied? ; for ex: using rubrics, how coaches assess a skill during tryouts
construct validity
does the measurement tool accurately assess the theory being tested?
predictive validity
does the measurement tool accurately predict future outcomes?
galton
first to study mental ability; believed it was hereditary
binet
created the first test in France to study special education services for students; the test was designed to compare “mental age” with “chronological age”; “age graded test”
terman + stanford binet
terman brought the stanford-binet test to the U.S.; introduced IQ score
intelligence quotient (IQ) (terman)
IQ = mental age/chronological age x 100
WISC
weschler intelligence scale for children
WAIS
weschler adult intelligence scale
verbal performance scales
vocabulary, arithmetic reasoning, similarities, general information, and memory
performance scales
picture completion, digit substitution, and object assembly
normal distribution and IQ score
the bell curve; mean, median, and mode are all the same; IQ mean is 100; standard deviation is 15
skewed distribution
frequency data is not spread evenly; data that is positively skewed has a long tail that extends to the right; data that is negatively skewed have a long tail that extends to the left.
factor analysis
statistical technique used to identify clusters of related information
g-factor (spearman)
general intelligence, problem solving, and reasoning
s-factor (spearman)
specific information and skills needed for particular tasks
fluid intelligence (cattell)
reasoning and problem solving, memory, and info-processing speed
crystallized intelligence (cattell)
our accumulated knowledge and verbal skills; we used fluid for crystallized intelligence
7 primary mental abilities (thurstone)
there are 7 relatively independent primary mental abilities: numerical ability, reasoning, verbal fluency, spatial visualization, perceptual ability, memory, and verbal comprehension
how reliable is intelligence testing over a lifetime?
reliable after 7 years old
is intelligence testing valid?
yes
how do crystallized and fluid intelligence change over a lifetime?
crystallized intelligence increases and fluid decreases (in mid/late adulthood)
are IQ tests widely used in other cultures?
IQ tests are mainly used in western cultures and in individualist cultures
intellectual disability
IQ < 70; deficiencies in adaptive skills; cognitively impaired
metacognition
awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes; those with intellectual disabilities are deficient in metacognition
learning disabilities
measured intelligence ≠ academic performance; intelligence usually ≥ average intelligence
giftedness
IQ > 130
what do twin studies and adoption studies say about intelligence?
identical twins have the highest correlation; genetics play a large role
heritability ratio
proportion determined by heredity (nature)
how do environmental deprivation and enrichment affect intelligence?
nurture plays a role; especially at an early age
flynn effect
IQ scores have been rising steadily over time
reaction range
genetically determined limits on IQ (or other traits); for ex: heredity sets limits/ranges, while environment determines where in the range
stereotype threat
when worry about conforming to a negative stereotype leads to underperformance on a test/other task by a member of the stereotyped group
sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence: analytic intelligence
abstract reasoning, logic, and problem solving
sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence: practical intelligence
“street smart”; deal with everyday problems; the ability to adapt and strategize
sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence: creative intelligence
novel solutions and ideas
gardner’s multiple intelligences
linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, body-kinesthetic, nature, interpersonal, and intrapersonal
convergent thinking
when you attempt to narrow down a list of alternative to find a single, correct answer to a problem
divergent thinking
when you attempt to expand the range of possible alternatives by generating many possible solutions
creativity
generation of ideas that are original and useful
what are the necessary components of creativity?
expertise, persistence, risk willingness, divergent thinking, and intrinsic motivation