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100_8.2_Intelligence.pdf

8.2 Intelligence Overview

  • Lecture focusing on intelligence, including definitions and theories.

Intelligence Questions

Key Questions

  • Is intelligence one general ability or several specific abilities?

  • Are there other forms of intelligence?

  • Is intelligence neurologically measurable?

Assessing Intelligence

History of Intelligence Testing

  • Origins of intelligence testing addressed.

  • Modern tests and their principles are explored.

Dynamics of Intelligence

  • Discussion on whether intelligence is stable or subject to change over time.

  • Examination of extremes of intelligence.

Concept of General Intelligence

  • Inquiry into whether there is an inborn general mental capacity.

  • The challenge of quantifying intelligence meaningfully.

Definition of Intelligence

  • Defined as the ability to learn from experience and adapt to new situations.

  • In research, intelligence is typically what intelligence tests assess, reflecting "school smarts."

Models of Intelligence

General Intelligence (g)

  • Charles Spearman's work (1863-1945) introduced the concept of general intelligence.

  • Spearman's factor analysis approach identifies clusters of mental abilities.

Multiple Intelligences

  • Howard Gardner's theory (1983, 1999) advocates for multiple intelligences:

    • Brain damage may affect specific abilities without impairing others.

    • Savant syndrome illustrates differing abilities unrelated to general intelligence.

Gardner's Eight Intelligences

  1. Linguistic – T. S. Eliot (poet)

  2. Logical-mathematical – Albert Einstein (scientist)

  3. Musical – Igor Stravinsky (composer)

  4. Spatial – Pablo Picasso (artist)

  5. Bodily-kinesthetic – Martha Graham (dancer)

  6. Intrapersonal – Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist)

  7. Interpersonal – Mahatma Gandhi (leader)

  8. Naturalist – Charles Darwin (naturalist)

Emotional Intelligence

Components of Emotional Intelligence

  • Abilities include:

    • Perceiving emotions

    • Understanding emotions

    • Using emotions effectively

Reading Body Language

  • Key cues:

    • Physical proximity

    • Head position

    • Eye contact

    • Gesture

    • Feet movement

Neurological Aspects of Intelligence

Brain Size and Intelligence

  • Some studies suggest a correlation (+.40) between brain size and intelligence.

Speed of Processing

  • Higher intelligence linked to quicker perception of stimuli and faster response times.

Intelligence Testing Methodology

  • Intelligence testing evaluates mental aptitudes and compares scores numerically.

Binet-Simon Test

  • Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon’s development of a predictive test for children’s school success.

Stanford-Binet Test

  • Lewis Terman adapted Binet’s test for American children.

  • Introduction of the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) formula by William Stern.

Other Notable Tests

Wechsler Tests

  • David Wechsler’s development of WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) and WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children).

  • WAIS measures overall intelligence along with specific aspects related to it.

Sample Questions from WAIS

  • General knowledge and arithmetic reasoning items.

Stability of Intelligence

  • Discussion on whether intelligence is stable across a lifetime or generationally.

Age and Stability

  • Intelligence scores stabilize around age seven.

Flynn Effect

  • Noted increase in intelligence scores over the last 60 years, averaging a 27-point increase.

Nature vs. Nurture

  • Ongoing debate on genetic versus environmental influences on intelligence.

Genetic Influence

  • Studies on twins, families, and adoptees highlight genetic contributions to intelligence.

Correlation Observations

  • Adopted children's verbal abilities show marginal correlation with adoptive parents.