Definition of Intelligence – The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.
Measuring Intelligence – Intelligence tests assess cognitive ability; commonly measured by IQ (Intelligence Quotient).
Types of Intelligence Tests:
Achievement Tests – Measure learned knowledge (e.g., school exams).
Aptitude Tests – Predict future performance (e.g., SAT, IQ tests).
IQ Score Distribution – Normal distribution (bell curve) with an average of 100; majority score between 85-115.
Reliability vs. Validity –
Reliability: Consistency of test results.
Validity: Whether a test measures what it claims to measure.
Biological Influences on Intelligence – Genetic factors contribute, but environment plays a major role (e.g., nutrition, education, stimulation).
Environmental Factors:
Flynn Effect – Rising IQ scores over generations due to better education and nutrition.
Stereotype Threat – Anxiety about confirming negative stereotypes can lower test performance.
Brain and Intelligence – Higher intelligence correlates with efficient neural processing, particularly in the frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex.
Extremes in Intelligence:
Giftedness – IQ above 130; individuals often excel in specific areas.
Intellectual Disability – IQ below 70, combined with difficulty in daily functioning.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – The ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others.
Spearman’s g-Factor Theory – Intelligence has a general factor (g) influencing all cognitive abilities.
Example: A person who excels in math also performs well in verbal tasks due to strong general intelligence.
Thurstone’s Primary Mental Abilities – Intelligence consists of seven independent mental abilities, such as verbal fluency and spatial reasoning.
Example: A student might score high in word fluency but struggle with spatial visualization.
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences – Intelligence is divided into distinct types, such as linguistic, musical, and interpersonal intelligence.
Example: A musician excels in composing and playing instruments but struggles with logical reasoning.
Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory – Intelligence has three components: analytical (problem-solving), creative (novel thinking), and practical (adapting to environments).
Example: An entrepreneur succeeds by combining analytical thinking (market research), creativity (innovative product ideas), and practicality (navigating business challenges).
Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale – Measures cognitive ability to identify children needing academic support.
Example: A child with a low IQ score receives personalized tutoring to improve reading skills.
Terman’s Stanford-Binet IQ Test – Introduced IQ (Intelligence Quotient) as a standardized intelligence measure.
Example: A gifted student scoring 140 on the IQ test is placed in an advanced learning program.
Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory – Personality is shaped by unconscious conflicts between the id (instincts), ego (reality), and superego (morality).
Example: A person feels guilty for skipping work because their superego conflicts with their id's desire for relaxation.
Jung’s Analytical Psychology – Introduced the collective unconscious (shared ancestral memories) and archetypes (universal symbols).
Example: A hero in myths and movies follows a similar journey, reflecting the "hero" archetype.
Adler’s Individual Psychology – Personality is driven by overcoming inferiority and striving for superiority.
Example: A student who struggled in childhood becomes highly ambitious and competitive in adulthood.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Humans progress through needs (physiological → self-actualization) to reach their full potential.
Example: A writer pursues creative fulfillment only after securing financial stability.
Rogers’ Self-Concept Theory – A healthy personality develops when self-image aligns with ideal self, fostered by unconditional positive regard.
Example: A child raised with unconditional love develops confidence and self-acceptance.
Eysenck’s Three-Factor Model – Personality is based on extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.
Example: An extraverted person thrives in social settings, enjoying parties and networking.
Allport’s Trait Theory – Identified cardinal (dominant), central (consistent), and secondary (situational) traits shaping personality.
Example: A politician’s ambition (cardinal trait) influences all life decisions.
Key Points
Definition of Personality – A unique set of consistent behavioral traits, thoughts, and emotional patterns in an individual.
Personality Assessment –
Objective Tests – Standardized (e.g., MMPI, Big Five Inventory).
Projective Tests – Open-ended (e.g., Rorschach Inkblot Test, TAT).
Biological Basis of Personality –
Genetics: Twin studies suggest personality traits have a genetic component.
Neurotransmitters: Serotonin linked to mood stability, dopamine to reward-seeking behavior.
Personality Disorders:
Definition – Enduring, inflexible personality traits causing distress/dysfunction.
Examples: Antisocial Personality Disorder (manipulative behavior), Borderline Personality Disorder (emotional instability).
Situational and Interactionist Perspectives –
Situationalism – Behavior depends on the environment rather than traits.
Interactionism – Behavior results from personality traits interacting with the environment.
Self-Concept and Self-Esteem –
Self-Concept: How we see ourselves.
Self-Esteem: Our evaluation of self-worth. High self-esteem correlates with better mental health.
7. Barnum Effect:
Tendency to accept as valid any description of our personality that is generally true
Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger) – People experience discomfort when holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors, motivating them to reduce inconsistency.
Example: A smoker who knows smoking is harmful may quit or justify the habit to reduce discomfort.
2. Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love
o Love has 3 key ingredients
1. Intimacy: Knowing a lot about each other
2. Commitment: Intention to maintain relationship
3. Passion: Hot stuff, sexual arousal
1. Can be combined to form different forms of love
Conformity Theory (Asch) – People adjust their behavior to match group norms, even if incorrect.
Example: A student gives a wrong answer in class because everyone else did.
Obedience to Authority (Milgram) – People follow authority figures, even when asked to act against personal morals.
Example: A participant administers (fake) shocks in an experiment because an authority figure insists.
Stanford Prison Experiment (Zimbardo) – Situational factors influence behavior more than personality, leading people to adopt assigned roles.
Example: College students acting as guards in a simulated prison became abusive.
Social Identity Theory (Tajfel) – People define themselves by group membership, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group bias.
Example: A sports fan strongly identifies with their team and dislikes rival fans.
Bystander Effect (Darley & Latané) – The presence of others reduces the likelihood of helping in emergencies due to diffusion of responsibility.
Example: A person in a crowded street ignores a collapsed individual, assuming others will help.
Key Points
Definition of Social Psychology – The study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations.
Social Cognition: Attitudes –
Components: Cognitive (beliefs), Affective (feelings), Behavioral (actions).
Persuasion Techniques: Foot-in-the-door (small request → larger request), Door-in-the-face (large request → smaller one).
Attributions –
Internal (Dispositional) – Behavior caused by personality.
External (Situational) – Behavior caused by external factors.
Fundamental Attribution Error – Overemphasizing personality, underestimating the situation.
Group Influence –
Social Facilitation – Performance improves on easy tasks when observed but worsens on difficult tasks.
Social Loafing – People put in less effort in group tasks than when alone.
Deindividuation – Loss of self-awareness in group settings, leading to impulsive behavior.
Prejudice and Discrimination –
Prejudice – A negative attitude toward a group.
Discrimination – Negative actions based on group membership.
Implicit Bias – Unconscious stereotypes influencing behavior.
Group Conflict and Cooperation –
In-group Bias – Favoring one’s own group over others.
Superordinate Goals – Common goals reduce conflict between groups (e.g., Robbers Cave Experiment).
Helping Behavior –
Factors Increasing Help – Feeling responsibility, seeing others help.
Factors Reducing Help – Presence of others (Bystander Effect).
Aggression –
Types: Instrumental (goal-oriented), Hostile (emotion-driven).
Biological Influences: Testosterone linked to aggression.
Environmental Influences: Media violence exposure can increase aggressive behavior.
Interpersonal Attraction –
Factors: Proximity (being near someone), Similarity (shared interests), Physical Attractiveness.
Mere Exposure Effect – Repeated exposure increases liking.