Chapter 9

Question 1

What is intelligence ?

Answer 1

To understand complex ideas, adapt effectively to the environment, learn from experience, engage in various forms of reasoning and overcome obstacles

Question 2

Describe the 4 historical perspectives

Answer 2

1. Galton: intelligence is linked to sensory acuity and discrimination
2. binet: cant break intelligence into components
3. Weschler: capacity of the individual to act purposefully in their environment
4. Piaget: evolving capacity for adaptation

Question 3

Describe Spearmans 2-factor theory of intelligence

Answer 3

Factor g= general intelligence
Factor s= specific ability being measured
Any other irrelevant factors= e
- the greater the g, the better the test supposedly predicts overall intelligence

Question 4

Describe Horn & Cattell’s 2-general factor theory

Answer 4

Identified crystalized and fluid intelligence

1. Crystalized: extent of knowledge and skills, it is resistant to change and continues to accumulate, is dependent on cultural influences
2. Fluid: capacity to problem solve and vulnerable to brain injury, it will typically peak in early adulthood and declines steadily and remains culture-free

Question 5

Describe Carroll’s 3 stratum theory

Answer 5

1. General intelligence (g)
2. Broad intelligence made up of 8 abilities)
3. Narrow intelligence (speed, rate etc)

Question 6

Describe the Stanford-Binet Scale

Answer 6

Measures both the ratio IQ (mental age/chronological age x100) and deviant IQ with is ones intelligence in comparison to others in the same standardized sample

Question 7

Describe the Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale (WAIS-IV)

Answer 7

Measures verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed as well as a full scale IQ

Question 8

What are the 4 main issues to consider in short form tests ?

Answer 8

1. How the subjects are selected
2. How to abbreviate the original test
3. Estimating scores on the original test
4. The criteria in comparing the original to the abbreviated

Question 9

What are 3 culture influences in intelligence tests?

Answer 9

1. different definition of intelligence
2. different materials can impact different cultures
3. different results are often produced in low-SES individuals

Question 10

What is cultural loading and how can it be reduced?

Answer 10

It is the extent to which a test incorporates the vocabulary concepts, traditions, knowledge and feelings associated with a particular culture
This can be reduced by:
1. reducing pencil and paper tasks to performance tasks
2. Written to oral responses
3. Abstract reasoning instead of factual knowledge
4. Speed test instead of power tests

Question 11

What is the Flynn effect ?

Answer 11

the progressive increase in intelligence test scores over time
- has implications in the diagnostic criteria for certain problems and eligibility criteria for services