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AP Psych: Intelligence Chapter
Factor Analysis:
A statistical method used to identify clusters of related items (factors) on a test
Often used to identify patterns in test scores and is a way to reduce the number of variables in psychological research.
Charles Spearman:
A psychologist who proposed the theory of general intelligence ("g")
Believed that intelligence could be measured by a single general factor underlying all cognitive abilities
“G” - General Intelligence:
A general intelligence factor that Spearman believed underlies all cognitive abilities
Suggests that a person who is good at one cognitive task is likely to be good at others as well.
Robert Sternberg:
A psychologist known for his Triarchic Theory of Intelligence
Three types of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical.
Triarchic Theory:
Sternberg’s theory of intelligence proposes three aspects:\
analytical intelligence (problem-solving)
creative intelligence (ability to deal with novel situations)
practical intelligence (common sense and street smarts)
Howard Gardner: A psychologist who proposed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which includes eight distinct types of intelligences (e.g., linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic).
Theory of Multiple Intelligences: Gardner’s theory that intelligence is not a single, unified trait but consists of various types of intelligences, each important in different ways (e.g., linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical).
Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions effectively in oneself and others. It includes self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking:
Divergent Thinking: The ability to generate many different ideas or solutions to a problem.
Convergent Thinking: The ability to narrow down many ideas to one correct or best solution.
Standardization: The process of administering a test in the same way to all test-takers to ensure consistency and fairness.
Reliability: The consistency of a test's results over time. A reliable test yields similar results when taken multiple times or by different people.
Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it is supposed to measure. It can be divided into different types (e.g., content validity, construct validity, and predictive validity).
Savant Syndrome: A condition where a person with a developmental disorder demonstrates exceptional skills or abilities in a specific area, such as mathematics or music, despite having limited overall cognitive functioning.
Intelligence Testing (Bell-Shaped Normal Curve): Intelligence tests are designed to produce a normal distribution of scores, which forms a bell-shaped curve where most people score near the average, and fewer people score extremely high or low.
IQ (Intelligence Quotient): A score derived from standardized intelligence tests, used to measure a person's intellectual abilities relative to others.
IQ Formula and Average Scores: The IQ score is calculated using the formula: (Mental Age / Chronological Age) x 100. The average IQ score is set at 100, with the majority of people scoring between 85 and 115.
Gifted vs. Intellectual Disability (& percentages of people who qualify):
Gifted: Typically refers to individuals with IQs above 130.
Intellectual Disability: Refers to individuals with an IQ below 70, often associated with challenges in daily functioning.
Around 2-3% of the population is classified as gifted, and about 1-3% as having intellectual disabilities.
Alfred Binet (“Mental Orthopedics”): A French psychologist who developed the first practical intelligence test. He believed intelligence could be improved with practice, which he referred to as "mental orthopedics."
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: An intelligence test developed by Lewis Terman at Stanford University, based on Binet’s original test. It measures intelligence across various cognitive areas.
Lewis Terman: A psychologist who adapted the Binet-Simon scale into the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale and contributed significantly to the study of intelligence.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale: A series of intelligence tests designed by David Wechsler, including the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) and the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children), which assess different aspects of intelligence (verbal, performance, and overall IQ).
Achievement vs. Aptitude:
Achievement: Tests that measure what a person has already learned (e.g., the SAT, AP exams).
Aptitude: Tests that predict a person’s future ability or potential in a specific area (e.g., the ACT).
Indicators of Intelligence: These include cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and learning speed, as well as factors like emotional intelligence and creativity.
Flynn Effect: The observed rise in average IQ scores over the 20th century, likely due to improved nutrition, education, and societal factors.
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation:
Intrinsic Motivation: Motivation driven by internal factors, such as personal satisfaction or interest.
Extrinsic Motivation: Motivation driven by external rewards, such as money or grades.
Intelligence & Neural Plasticity Correlation: Research suggests that higher levels of intelligence are correlated with greater neural plasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.
Down Syndrome: A genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome, leading to intellectual disability and other physical and developmental characteristics.
Heritability: The proportion of variation in a trait (such as intelligence) that can be attributed to genetic factors.
Differences in Intelligence Among: Age and Race:
Age: Intelligence may change over a person’s lifespan, with peak performance typically occurring in early adulthood, then gradually declining with age.
Race: Research shows a correlation between race and IQ scores, but this is controversial and often attributed to environmental and socio-economic factors rather than inherent differences.
Head Start Programs: Early childhood education programs aimed at improving the cognitive and social development of children from low-income families to prepare them for school.
Content Validity vs. Predictive Validity:
Content Validity: The extent to which a test represents all aspects of the construct it is measuring.
Predictive Validity: The extent to which a test predicts future performance or behavior (e.g., the ability of an IQ test to predict academic success).
