Introduction to Intelligence Testing

Vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes focusing on intelligence testing concepts and theories.

Mental Age

A concept used to describe the age at which a child performs on intelligence tests, comparing their cognitive abilities to peers.

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test

An intelligence test that includes a variety of content areas, revised by Terman, and the first test to use the term IQ (Intelligence Quotient).

IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

A score derived from standardized assessments designed to measure human intelligence.

Army Alpha and Beta Tests

Two versions of the intelligence tests developed during World War I; Alpha was written for literate individuals, while Beta was for illiterate soldiers.

Cultural Bias in Testing

The tendency of intelligence tests to disadvantage individuals from different cultural backgrounds due to language and contextual differences.

Standardization

A process in test design that ensures uniform testing conditions and allows for generalization of scores across populations.

Reliability

The consistency of a test in measuring what it purports to measure across different occasions or test forms.

Validity

The degree to which a test accurately measures what it is intended to measure.

Normal IQ Distribution

A statistical representation of IQ scores in the general population, typically following a bell curve.

Standard Deviation (SD)

A measure used to quantify the amount of variation or dispersion of a set of values; for IQ, the SD is 15.

Multiple Intelligences Theory

A theory proposed by Howard Gardner suggesting that intelligence is not a single entity but consists of multiple types.

G-Factor

A term used by Charles Spearman to indicate a general intelligence factor that underlies specific mental abilities.

Sternberg's Triarchic Theory

A theory of intelligence that divides it into three main components: analytic, creative, and practical intelligence.

Stereotype Threat

A phenomenon wherein individuals underperform on tests due to the anxiety of confirming a negative stereotype about their group.

Correlation vs Causation

The distinction between a relationship where one factor is related to another versus one that causes the other.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression and impact traits such as intelligence.

Flynn Effect

The observed rise in average IQ scores over generations in developed countries.