Year 10 Biology and Psychology: Theories and Measurement of Intelligence

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, theories, psychological tests, developmental trajectories, and technological applications of intelligence from the Year 10 Bio/Psych curriculum.

Intelligence (APA Definition)

The American Psychological Association (1995) defines intelligence as the ability to understand complex ideas, adapt effectively to the environment, learn from experience, engage in various forms of reasoning, and overcome obstacles by taking thought.

Intelligence (Piaget's Definition)

Jean Piaget's developmental view that intelligence is what an individual uses when they do not already know what to do, characterized as the ability to adapt to new situations.

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Robert Sternberg's model proposing that intelligence consists of three components: analytical (problem-solving), creative (innovation), and practical (everyday life skills).

Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's framework proposing that intelligence encompasses a full range of distinct abilities and talents rather than a single unitary mental capacity.

Existential Intelligence

A proposed ninth intelligence in Howard Gardner's theory ('philosophy smart'), defined as the ability to pose and ponder deep questions about life, death, and human existence.

Wechsler's Definition of Intelligence

David Wechsler's concept of intelligence as the global and aggregate capacity of an individual to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with their environment.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)

An intelligence test designed for children that can be completed without reading or writing, producing an overall IQ score based on multiple performance and verbal indices.

Conditions of Intelligent Behaviour (Wechsler)

Wechsler's four criteria required for a behaviour to be classified as intelligent: Awareness (conscious and controlled), Goal Directed (has a purpose), Rational (consistent and appropriate for achieving a goal), and Worthwhile (constructive and valued by others).

Factor G

Charles Spearman's proposed underlying general intelligence factor, conceptualized as a continuous 'stream of mental energy' that influences performance across all cognitive tasks.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ) Formula

The historical formula introduced by Alfred Binet and William Stern: $\text{IQ} = \frac{\text{mental age}}{\text{chronological age}} \times 100$, setting the benchmark average IQ score at $100$.

Normal Distribution of IQ

A symmetrical bell curve centered at a mean of $100$, where approximately $68\%$ of individuals score between $85$ and $115$, and $95\%$ score between $70$ and $130$.

Individual Intelligence Test

An intelligence assessment administered to one subject at a time, often involving oral questioning, puzzles, and object manipulation; highly accurate but time-consuming.

Group Intelligence Test

A standardized pencil-and-paper assessment administered simultaneously to large groups using visual and written questions; practical to administer, though scores can vary by $10\text{--}15$ points from true accuracy.

Validity (Psychological Testing)

The degree to which a test accurately measures what it was specifically designed to evaluate (e.g., whether an IQ test truly reflects intelligence by predicting academic performance).

Reliability (Psychological Testing)

The consistency and repeatability of test results when an individual retakes the assessment across different occasions.

Cultural Bias (Intelligence Testing)

The systematic tendency of an intelligence test to disadvantage individuals from non-mainstream cultures by assuming shared 'common knowledge,' specific vocabulary, or conventions.

Culture Fair Tests

Non-verbal and standardized assessments designed to evaluate mental capability without penalizing individuals based on their cultural, ethnic, or linguistic background.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The scientific debate concerning whether intelligence is predominantly governed by heredity (biologically inherited genetics) or environment (upbringing, schooling, and life experiences).

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical value ranging between $-1.00$ and $+1.00$; the plus or minus sign indicates the direction of the relationship, while the absolute number indicates its strength.

Positive Correlation

A statistical relationship where two variables change in the same direction: as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase.

Negative Correlation

A statistical relationship where two variables change in inverse directions: as one variable increases, the other variable tends to decrease.

Scottish Mental Survey (1932)

A large-scale study of nearly $80{,}000$ 11-year-olds finding that females were overrepresented in the average IQ band ($95\text{--}115$), whereas males were overrepresented at both high and low extremes.

Crystallized Intelligence

The store of acquired knowledge, facts, and verbal skills resulting from prior learning and education, which steadily increases across the lifespan.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity to think logically, identify patterns, and solve novel problems in new situations independently of acquired knowledge; peaks in early adulthood and declines with age.

Savant Syndrome

A rare condition in which a person with significant developmental or intellectual limitations exhibits an extraordinary, isolated talent in areas like rapid calculation, memory, art, or music.

Prodigy

A child or adolescent who displays extraordinary talent or skill in a specific domain (such as mathematics, music, or chess) far beyond their peers, accompanied by typical or high overall cognitive development.

Intellectual Disability

A developmental classification assigned to individuals with an IQ score below $70$ who experience substantial limitations in adaptive behaviours, communication, and independent self-care.

Intellectually Gifted

A category describing individuals who possess an exceptionally high degree of general mental ability, conventionally defined by an IQ score of $130$ or higher.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

The ability to recognize emotional expressions and meanings, regulate internal states, empathize with others, and solve problems based on emotional information.

Animal Intelligence

The combination of cognitive skills and behavioural adaptations that enable non-human animals to survive and adapt successfully within their specific ecological niches.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The theory and development of computer systems engineered to execute tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, natural speech processing, and autonomous decision-making.

Turing Test

A benchmark proposed by Alan Turing in 1950 assessing whether an AI system can generate text-based natural language responses that are indistinguishable from those of a human.

Ellie (AI in Psychology)

An AI-powered virtual therapist developed to treat veterans with PTSD and depression by evaluating facial expressions, head movements, eye gaze, and vocal acoustic patterns.