Chapter 9: Intelligence and IQ Testing

Psychology 101 - Fall 2023: Exam #1 - September 28, 2023

Abstract Thinking

capacity to understand hypothetical concepts

Bell Curve

distributions of scores in which the bulk of the scores fall toward the middle, with progressively fewer scores towards the “tails” or extremes

Between-Group Heritability

extent to which the difference in a trait between groups is genetically influenced

Convergent Thinking

capacity to generate the single best solutions to a problem

Crystalized Intelligence

accumulated knowledge of the world acquires over time

Culture-Fair IQ Test

abstract reasoning measure that doesn’t depend on language and is often believed to be less influenced by cultural factors than other IQ tests (Raven’s Progressive Matrices)

Deviation IQ

expression of a person’s IQ relative to their same-aged peers

Divergent Thinking

capacity to generate many different solutions to a problem

Emotional Intelligence

ability to understand our own emotions and those of others, and to apply this information to our daily lives

Eugenics

movement in the early 20th century to improve a population’s genetic stock - encouraging those with good genes to reproduce and those with bad genes to not

Fluid Intelligence

refers to the capacity to learn new ways of solving problems

Flynn Effect

finding that average IQ scores have been rising at a rate of approximately three points per decade

g (general intelligence)

hypothetical factor that accounts for overall differences in intellectual among people

Ideological Immune System

our psychological refences against evidence that contradicts our views

Intellectual Disability

condition characterized by an onset prior to adulthood, an IQ below about 70, an an inability to engage in adequate daily functions

Intelligence Quotient

IQ - systematic means of quantifying differences among people in their intelligence

Intelligence Test

diagnostic toll designed to measure overall thinking ability

Mental Age

age corresponding to the average individual’s performance on an intelligence test

Multiple Intelligence

idea that people vary in their ability levels across different domains of intellectual skill

s (specific abilities)

particular ability level in a narrow domain

Stanford-Binet IQ Test

intelligence test based on the measure developed by Binet and Simon, adapted by Lewis Terman of Stanford University

Stereotype Threat

fear that we may confirm a negative group stereotype

Test Bias

tendency of a test to predict outcomes better in one group than another

Triarchic Model

model of intelligence proposed by Robert Sternberg posting three distinct types of intelligence: analytical, practical, and creative

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

most widely used intelligence test for adults today, consisting of 15 subsets to asses different types of mental abilities

Wisdom

application of intelligence toward a common good

Within-Group Heritability

extent to which the variability of a trait within a group is genetically influenced

Edwin Boring’s (1923) Definition of Intelligence

Intelligence is whatever intelligence tests measure

Sir Francis Galton’s (1884)

theory that people with better senses acquire more knowledge

First Intelligence Test

Binet and Simon in 1905

Development of g and s factors

Charles Spearman (1927)

Cattell and Horn (1960s) Theorized…

intelligence is a mix of two capacities (fluid and crystallized)

Howard Gardner’s (1983)

“frames of mind” - ways of thinking about the world

Linguistics (types of intelligence)

speak and write well

Logical-mathematical (types of intelligence)

use logic and mathematical skills to solve problems (scientific question)

Spatial (types of intelligence)

think an reason about object in three-dimensional space

Musical (types of intelligence)

perform underside and enjoy music

Body-kinesthetic (types of intelligence)

manipulate in physical endeavors (sports)

Interpersonal (types of intelligence)

understand and interact effectively with others

Intrapersonal (types of intelligence)

understand and posses insight into self

Naturalistic (types of intelligence)

recognize, identify and understand living things (animals, plants)

Existential (types of intelligence)

the ability to grasp deep philosophical ideas (meaning of life)

Analytical intelligence

the ability to reason logically, or “book smarts”

Practical intelligence

the ability to solve real -world problems, or “street smarts”

Creative intelligence

the ability to come up with novel and effective answers

Prefrontal Cortex

active during highly “ g -loaded ” tasks

Central theme

speed of information processing is related to intelligence

Examples of Intellectual Disabilities

Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome

Predictive Validity

test’s capacity to forecast outcomes

Mental Energy

the ability to focus on different problems for long periods of time

Threshold Effect

above a certain level of IQ intelligence is no longer predictive of important real world accomplishments

Intact Families

those in which family member live together in the same home

Study Genetic Influences

family, twin, adoption studies

Synapses

neutral connections

Emotional Reasoning/Affect of Heuristics

the tendency to judge the validity of an idea by our emotional reaction to it