Intelligence and Research Methods

Overconfidence bias

A person overestimates their ability to do something

ex. a person thinks they can unscramble a word in 20s, actually takes 3 min

hindsight bias

After learning something, a person believes they knew it all along

ex. the underdog wins a game, afterwords a person says they knew that would happen all along

Binet Test

1904 → used to test the French students’ capability of success in public school

first intelligence test, compared the ‘normal’ childs capabilities to others

made by Alfred Binet

intelligence

mental quality consisting of the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.

BROTHERS

basis of comparison

replicability

operational definitions

technique to collect data

hypothesis that relates to conclusion

ethics

random sampling

standardization

experiment

manipulating a variable to see a cause-and-effect relationship

independent and dependent variable

quasi experiment

a type of research design that examines the impact of an independent variable without random assignment of participants to conditions, often used when controlled experiments are not feasible.

case study

an in-depth analysis of an individual or group, exploring unique characteristics and behaviors.

meta analysis

a statistical analysis that synthesizes results from multiple studies to evaluate overall trends or effects.

correlational study

A research method that examines the relationship between two variables to determine if they are associated, without implying causation.

survey

A research method that involves asking participants questions to gather data on their opinions, behaviors, or characteristics. Surveys can be conducted through various formats, including questionnaires and interviews.

naturalistic observation

A research method where researchers observe subjects in their natural environment without interference. This approach allows for the collection of data in a realistic context.

longitudinal studies

Research studies that collect data from the same subjects over a long period of time to observe changes and developments.

cross sectional

A research method that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time, often used to compare different groups.

twin study

A research method that compares the similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins to assess the influence of genetics and environment on various traits.

critical thinking

thinking that does not blindly accept arguements or conclusions without evidence. It involves analyzing and evaluating data, reasoning, and arguments critically.

the scientific method

A structured approach used in scientific inquiry that involves formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing data to explore relationships or outcomes.

theory

an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

hypothesis

testable prediction, often implied by a theory

wording effects

changes in wording can change opinion

illusory correlations

perceptions of a relationship where none exists, often influenced by cognitive biases.

variables

independent

dependent

control

general intelligence

(g) idea of one general intelligence level

factor analysis → factors that are similar occur together and can be grouped into one thing

Gardners theory of 8 intelligences (multiple intelligences)

not how smart you are, but how you are smart

intelligence = unrelated domains

Sternbergs theory of 3 intelligences

intelligence is not a test, rather implied by environment the person lives in

practical → street smart

creative → experiential

analytical → book smart

creativity depends on…

1. expertise

2. imaginative thinking skills

3. venturesome personality

4. intrinsic motivation

5. creative environment

emotional intelligence

ability to percieve, understand, and manage emotions

Stanford Binet Test

Lewis Terman

created idea of mental age vs chronological age

average intelligence would always be 100

IQ

intelligence quotient, mental age/actual age x 100

Weshler Adult Intelligence Scale

A widely used individual IQ test designed to measure cognitive intelligence in adults. It assesses various mental capabilities, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.

Tests must be…

standard

reliable → test by retesting ppl

valid

normal curve

bell shaped curve that shows distribution of many psychological attributes

content validity vs predictive validity

content validity refers to how well a test measures the entire construct it's intended to assess, while predictive validity examines how well the test predicts future performance or outcomes related to that construct.

environmental vs genetic influence on intelligence

similar genes = comprable mental capabilities

as years go by, environment is less impactful

cultural biases

Tendencies to interpret or judge phenomena based on one's own cultural perspective, potentially leading to misinterpretations in research and analysis.

hawthorne effect

The Hawthorne Effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed. This effect was first identified during studies at the Hawthorne Works plant in the 1920s and 1930s.

rosenthal effect

The Rosenthal effect, also known as the Pygmalion effect, refers to the phenomenon where higher expectations from teachers or researchers lead to improved performance from students or participants due to the influence of belief on behavior.

barnum effect

A cognitive bias where individuals believe vague or general statements about personality are highly accurate for themselves, leading to overconfidence in subjective assessments.

confirmation bias

A cognitive bias that leads individuals to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs while disregarding evidence that contradicts them.

savant syndrome

a person otherwise limited in mental ability has one exceptional talent or skill

crystallized intelligence

raymond catell

slower, can use experience to compensate (old and wise)

fluid intelligence

raymond catell

speed, youth, processing power, lack of knowledge (young)

factor analysis

a statistical technique used to identify underlying relationships between variables and reduce data dimensions by grouping related variables.

convergent thinking

intelligence with one correct answer, ex. math

left parietal lobe

divergent thinking

a type of creative thinking that explores multiple possible solutions and outcomes, often involving brainstorming and flexibility in thought.

mental age

a measure of intelligence based on the average age at which individuals achieve a particular level of cognitive ability, often compared to chronological age.

intellectual disability

when a person scores below 70 on IQ test

difficult adapting to demands of life

heritability

the proportion of variation in intelligence among individuals that can be attributed to genetic factors. ~ 50%

stereotype threat

the risk of confirming negative stereotypes about one's group, which can hinder performance and affect self-esteem.

random sample

a sample that fairly and accurately represents a population because each member has an equal chance of selection

placebo effect

the phenomenon where a person's symptoms improve after receiving a treatment that has no therapeutic effect, due to their belief in the treatment's efficacy.

double blind

a study design where neither participants nor researchers know who is receiving the treatment or placebo, to eliminate bias.

ethical principle guidelines

1. obtaining potential participants informed consent

2. protecting participants from harm and discomfort

3. confidentiality

4. explaining research afterwards