Psychology - Chapter 9: Intelligence and IQ Testing

Intelligence Test

Diagnostic tool designed to measure overall thinking ability

Abstract Thinking

Capacity to understand hypothetical concepts

g (general intelligence)

Hypothetical factor tht accounts for overall differences in intellect among people

s (specific abilities)

Particular ability level in a a narrow domain

Fluid Intelligence

Capacity to elarn new ways of solving problems

Crystallized intelegence

Accumulated knowledge of the world acquired over time

Multiple Intelligence

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

Trichina Model

Model of intelligence proposed by Robert Sternberg positing three distinct types of intelligence: analytical, practical, and creative

Stanford-Binet IQ Test

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

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Systematic means of quantifying differences among people in intelligence

Mental Age

Age corresponding to the average individual's performance on an intelligence test

Deviation IQ

Expression of a person's IQ relative to his or her same-aged peers

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Most widely used intelligence test for adults today, consisting of 15 subtests to assess different types of mental abilities

Culture-Fair IQ Test

Abstract reasoning measure that doesn't depend on langauge and is often believed to be less influenced by cultural factors than other IQ tests

Bell Curve

Distribution of scores in which the bulk of the scores fall towards the middle, with progressively fewer scores toward the "tails" or extremes

Mental Retardation

Condition characterized by an onset prior to adulthood, an IQ below about 70, and an inability to engage in adequate daily functioning

Flynn Effect

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

Within-Group Heritability

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

Between-Group Heritability

Extent to which differences in a trait between groups is genetically influenced

Test Bias

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

Stereotype Threat

Fear that we may confirm a negative group sterotype

Divergent Thinking

Capacity to generate many different solutions to a problem

Convergent Thinking

Capacity to generate the single best solution to a problem

Emotional Intelligence

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

Wisdom

Application of intelligence toward a common good

Ideological Immune System

Our psychological defense against evidence that contradicts our views