2.8a-d Intelligence & Achievement

Intelligence

the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations.

General intelligence (g)

overarching mental ability that influences performance across various cognitive tasks.

Multiple Intelligences

the theory that people have different independent intelligences (linguistic, logical-math, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic).

Growth mindset

the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort.

Fixed mindset

the belief that intelligence is predetermined and cannot significantly change.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

numerical measure comparing an individual’s cognitive ability to age norms.

Mental age

the level of performance typically associated with a certain chronological age.

Standardized test

a test with consistent procedures and norms to ensure fairness and comparability.

Achievement test

assesses knowledge or skills a person has learned.

Aptitude test

measures a person's potential for learning or future performance (e.g., SAT).

Validity

the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Construct validity

checks whether a test truly measures the intended concept.

Predictive validity

measures how well test scores forecast future performance.

Reliability

consistency of test results over time or across scorers.

Test-retest reliability

assesses stability by giving the same test to the same group twice.

Split-half reliability

compares performance on two halves of the same test to measure internal consistency.

Flynn Effect

the trend of rising average IQ scores across generations.

Stereotype threat

when fear of confirming a negative stereotype leads to poorer performance.

Stereotype lift

when positive stereotypes boost performance for advantaged groups.