Chapter 9: Intelligence Tests

Intelligence

The global capacity of a person to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with their environment

• a construct represented by a group of related variables including:

  • verbal skills, memory, mechanical skills, comprehension, and more

General-Factor Theory

Suggests that intelligence can be understood as a single, underlying ability, known as "g" or the general intelligence factor (Spearman)

Factor Analysis

Used to determine which variables can be grouped together to form a conceptually sound unit (a factor)

Crystallized intelligence

The “book smart” component of intelligence -
stored knowledge

Fluid Intelligence

The “street smart” component of intelligence - problem solving and being able to learn new skills

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

At its core, intelligence can be understood through how people think about and
solve problems (Sternburg)

• Componential Intelligence

• Experiential Intelligence

• Contextual Intelligence

Componential Intelligence

Focuses on the structures that underlie intelligent
behavior

• What you know

Experiential Intelligence

Focuses on behavior based on past experiences

• What you do

Contextual Intelligence

Focuses on behavior within the context in which it occurs

• How you behave

Intelligence is about…

…what you know, what you do, and how you behave

Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner theorized that an individual’s intelligence is made up of several (eight) different types of intelligence that work in concert with each other

• Musical intelligence

• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

• Logical-mathematical intelligence

• Linguistic intelligence

• Spatial intelligence

• Interpersonal intelligence

• Intrapersonal intelligence

• Naturalist intelligence:

Emotional intelligence

the ability to be emotionally sensitive to others and to manage and understand our own emotions - includes how to solve problems
involving emotional issues

Calculating IQ

IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) x 100

• If mental age = chronological age, then IQ = 100 (average IQ)