AP Psychology Unit 2.8-Intelligence

Intelligence

A debated topic in psychology that differs based on the context

The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and to adapt

Influences by genetics, environment, and culture

General Intelligence (g)

The theory that there is ONE underlying intelligence ability that predicts our ability to solve problems

Fluid Intelligence (Gf)

Our ability to reason quickly and think abstractly

Peaks in early adulthood and then declines

Crystalized Intelligence (Gc)

Represents our accumulated knowledge

Improves with age

Multiple Intelligences

The theory that says there are 8 types of intelligence

Musical, intrapersonal, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, body-kinaesthetic, linguistic-verbal, naturalistic, visual-spatial

People can excel in one area without being strong in others

Triarchic Intelligence

The theory that says there are 3 components of intelligence

Analytical, creative, and practicalM

Mental Age

A measure of children’s cognitive abilities relative to their real age

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A formula that compares mental age with chronological age

(MA/CA)x100

Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale

An adapted test of mental age to create a standardized IQ test

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

An IQ test that assesses the intellectual capabilities of adults and older adolescents

Measures four key scores: Verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)

An IQ test that assesses the intellectual capabilities of children

Measures four key scores: Verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed

Limitations of IQ in Modern Scoring

The formula to calculate IQ doesn’t make sense after people enter adulthood

Misuse of tests

Scores from tests have been used as a tool for eugenics and to limit access to jobs, military, immigration, and education.

Army Alpha and Army Beta

Tests that favored upper class anglo-americans due to the culturally specific questions on the test. Used to exclude people from military leadership

Stereotype Threat

Occurs when individuals from a negatively stereotyped group perform worse on a test after being reminded of the stereotype

Stereotype Lift

Occurs when individuals from a positively stereotyped group perform better on a test after being reminded of their advantage

Factors that Influence Test Scores

Poverty, educational equity, nutrition

Flynn Effect

IQ scores increased in many countries over successive generation

Psychometrics

An area of psychology that focuses on psychological testing.

Tests should be standardized, reliable, and valid.

Standardized Test

A test and the way it is administered is uniform

Same questions, time, and instructions

Ensured that comparisons between scores are meaningful. Tests results are normed.

Valid Test

Refers to how well a test measures what it is supposed to measure.

Accurately reflects what it claims.

If it measures the construct it claims to measure or if it can predict future outcomes

Reliable Test

Refers to how consistent the test results are.

One that would give similar results if given multiple times or split up into different parts

Achievement Tests

Measure what a student has already learned or mastered in a specific subject

Aptitude tests

Measure a person’s potential or ability to perform a specific task in the future

Nature and Nurture in Intelligence

Heritability of intelligence is relatively high

Identical twins who share the same genes have similar scores even when raised separately.

Adoptees have closer intelligence scores to their biological parents than to their adopted parents

Growth mindset

Thinking that intelligence can be developed leads to a desire to learn and a tendency to do better when confronted by something difficult

Fixed mindset

Thinking that intelligence stays the same always leads to a desire to look smart and a tendency to not do well under pressure.