Intelligence and IQ Testing

Intelligence in Psychology

Psychologists are fascinated by the brain and the brain is connected with intelligence.

High intelligence is thought to be a indicator for success

However, it is difficult for psychologists to define and agree on a mutual definition of intelligence. A person can be average at everything but another person could also be intelligent in a particular subject area.

Measuring Intelligence

To measure intelligence, psychologists use benchmarks. These benchmarks are comparisons of one’s intelligence to another person’s. However, this can be controversial because it is problematic to have a standard intelligence core to compare to other’s.


Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911)

Believed that intelligence is based on sensory capacity;performance/storage of a sensory info. He believed the more sensory information you can take in, it would contribute to more knowledge.

Galton’s Laboratory

Administered sensory tests on patients that measured reaction time. Galton attributed a faster reaction time to higher intelligence

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  • Used weight distribution, JND,

However, Galton’s view on intelligence through reaction time is controversial/problematic because there are certain populations that may have a slower reaction time but are still intelligent.

E.g. An older person may have a slower reaction time due to decreased reaction overtime but could still be very smart

Recent research does not support Galton’s theory.

  1. Sensory capacities are weakly related to each other.

  2. Different sensory capacities are not weakly related to intelligence


What is Correlation?

Correlation: The relationship between two variables. The strength of the correlation relates to the absolute value.

E.g. The closer the correlation is to 1/-1, the stronger it is.

Coefficient Correlation: a numerical measure of correlation

Level of Correlation:

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Intelligence as Abstract Thinking

Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon: Developed psychological tests to identify children who are in need of special education/help

In 1905, Binet and Simon developed the first intelligence test consisting of diagnostic tools that measured thinking abilities.

E.g. Items used:

  1. Naming objects

  2. Generate word meaning

  3. Draw from memory

Intelligence is now associated with understanding abstract thinking and hypothetical concepts.

Concrete Thinking: Understanding a concept or phrase literally without higher levels of thinking.

Abstract Thinking: “Thinking outside of the box” without a concept, object, or phrase physically presented.

E.g. Thinking about a dog without it physically present

Cultural Views of Intelligence

“Western” View: Intellgence is to reason well and quickly. Also being able to understand and learn concepts in a short period of time

Eastern View: Intelligence is wisdom and judgement

Indigenous View: Believed intelligence is an inclusive concept that consists of talents, abilities, and skills.

General vs Specific Abilities

Positive correlations among all items on IQ tests led to Charles Spearman’s development of general intelligence theory

Spearman’s belief: Believed that we need G for everything and only S for specific abilities

General Intelligence Theory: General intelligence or "g" is correlated with specific abilities or "s" to some degree.

All tasks on intelligence tests, whether related to verbal or mathematical abilities, were influenced by general intelligence

Specific Abilities: Spacial, mathematical, vocal abilities, etc.

A person may be better at one skill than another

Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence

Raymon and Cattell and John Horn theorized intelligence is a mix of two capacities, fluid and crystalized intelligence

Fluid Intelligence:

  • Problem Solving

  • Abstract Reasoning

  • Learning new solutions

Fluid intelligence overtime become apart of crystallized intelligence and LTM when we practice it.

Crystallized Intelligence:

  • General knowledge of the world

  • Vocabulary

  • Experiences

Howard Gardener’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

Believed that people go through 8 different intelligence types. People who land in a specific type of intelligence can be used to dictate their future career

Gardener’s criteria for different intelligences

  1. Brain Damage

  2. Autistic Savants

  3. Evolutionary Factors

Problems with Gardener’s Theory:

  1. Hard to measure

  2. Difficult to determine what could be considered intelligence

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Triarchic Model

Robert Sternberg: Theorized three distinct types of intelligence

  1. Analytical Intelligence: Reasoning & logic

  2. Practical Intelligence: Real-world problems

  3. Creative Intelligence: Creating, discovering, and inventing

Weaknesses:

  1. Difficult to prove causal relationship betwene performance and practical intelligence

  2. Not enough evidence that the distinct types of intelligence are independent.