intelligence

What is intelligence commonly defined as?

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

What are individual differences in intelligence?

Variations in cognitive ability between individuals.

What is psychometrics?

The measurement of psychological traits such as intelligence.

What is an intelligence test?

A standardised measure of cognitive ability.

What does IQ stand for?

Intelligence Quotient.

What is the average IQ score?

100.

What is the standard deviation of IQ scores?

15.

What percentage of the population falls within one standard deviation of the mean IQ?

About 68%.

What is general intelligence (g)?

A single underlying factor influencing performance across cognitive tasks.

Who proposed the concept of general intelligence?

Charles Spearman.

What is the evidence for general intelligence?

Positive correlations between different cognitive test scores.

What is the positive manifold?

The finding that all cognitive abilities tend to correlate positively.

What are specific abilities (s)?

Skills unique to particular tasks.

Who proposed multiple intelligences theory?

Howard Gardner.

How many intelligences did Gardner originally propose?

Seven.

Name some of Gardner’s intelligences.

Linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal.

What is a criticism of Gardner’s theory?

Lack of strong empirical evidence.

Who proposed the triarchic theory of intelligence?

Robert Sternberg.

What are the three components of Sternberg’s theory?

Analytical, creative, and practical intelligence.

What is analytical intelligence?

Problem-solving and academic ability.

What is creative intelligence?

Ability to deal with novel situations.

What is practical intelligence?

Ability to adapt to real-world environments.

What is fluid intelligence?

Ability to solve novel problems.

What is crystallised intelligence?

Knowledge gained through experience and education.

How does fluid intelligence change with age?

It declines.

How does crystallised intelligence change with age?

It remains stable or increases.

What brain area is strongly associated with intelligence?

Prefrontal cortex.

What is the Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT)?

Intelligence arises from a network involving parietal and frontal regions.

Which brain regions are included in P-FIT?

Frontal and parietal cortices.

What is working memory?

The ability to hold and manipulate information over short periods.

How is working memory related to intelligence?

Strongly correlated with IQ.

What is processing speed?

The speed at which cognitive tasks are performed.

How is processing speed related to intelligence?

Faster processing is associated with higher IQ.

What is heritability?

The proportion of variation in a trait due to genetic differences.

What is the heritability of intelligence?

Approximately 0.5 to 0.8.

Does heritability mean intelligence is fixed?

No, environment still plays a role.

How does heritability of intelligence change with age?

It increases.

What environmental factors influence intelligence?

Education, nutrition, socioeconomic status, and stimulation.

What is the Flynn effect?

The rise in IQ scores over generations.

What does the Flynn effect suggest?

Environmental factors strongly influence intelligence.

What is a possible cause of the Flynn effect?

Improved education and nutrition.

What is socioeconomic status (SES)?

An individual’s economic and social position.

How does SES affect intelligence?

Higher SES is associated with higher IQ scores.

What is the role of education in intelligence?

It improves cognitive abilities and knowledge.

What is brain plasticity?

The brain’s ability to change with experience.

How does plasticity relate to intelligence?

Experience can shape cognitive abilities.

What is the role of nutrition in intelligence?

Proper nutrition supports brain development.

What is stereotype threat?

Reduced performance due to fear of confirming stereotypes.

How does stereotype threat affect IQ performance?

It can lower test performance.

What is test bias?

When a test unfairly disadvantages certain groups.

What is cultural bias in intelligence testing?

Tests reflecting one culture’s knowledge or values.

What is emotional intelligence?

The ability to understand and manage emotions.

What are components of emotional intelligence?

Perceiving, understanding, managing emotions.

Is emotional intelligence the same as IQ?

No.

What is the relationship between brain size and intelligence?

Weak positive correlation.

What is neural efficiency?

More efficient brain activity in higher intelligence individuals.

How do high-IQ individuals differ in brain activation?

They often show less activation for the same task.

What is the role of the frontal lobe in intelligence?

Executive functions and decision making.

What is the role of the parietal lobe in intelligence?

Integration of sensory information.

What is a limitation of IQ tests?

They may not capture all aspects of intelligence.

What is the difference between aptitude and achievement tests?

Aptitude predicts future performance; achievement measures learned knowledge.

What is a major debate in intelligence research?

Nature vs nurture.

What is the conclusion of the nature vs nurture debate in intelligence?

Both genes and environment contribute.