Chapter 9 Flashcards
Heritability
Represents the degree to which individual differences in a population are due to genetic differences
What does Francis Galton’s Anthropometric approach say about intelligence?
Those with superior sensory abilities would be better able to learn about the world –> more intelligent
Anthropometrics
Methods for measuring physical and mental variations in humans
What did Galton’s sensory test scores not predict?
Academic success
Intelligence
Ability to overcome, think, understand, reason, and adapt to overcome obstacles
What is Stanford-Binet test?
Measures complex thinking processes, and mental age.
Test scores were believed to represent a fixed mental capacity.
What was the original purpose of the Stanford-Binet test?
Meant to measure the intelligence of a person and give them the help they need to make them catch up with their peers.
IQ calculation formula
(Mental age/chronological age) * 100
Entity theory
Belief that intelligence is a fixed characteristic and relatively difficult or impossible to change.
Incremental theory
Belief that intelligence can be shaped by experience, inactive and effort.
Charles spearman’s ‘General intelligence’
He noticed correlations between schoolchildren’s grades in different subjects. This led to his hypothesis of a “general intelligence factor (g)”
What is ‘g’ correlated with?
Academic success
Longevity
Relationship success
Income
Psychological well-being
Improved decision-making and self-control.
Spearman’s 2 factor theory of intelligence
g: general intelligence
s: skill-based, specific intelligence
Louis Thurstone’s 7 primary mental abilities
Fluency
Verbal comprehension
Numeric abilities
Memory
Spatial visualization
Perceptual speed
Reasoning
Factor analysis
Techniques used to group items that people respond to similarly
Hierarchical model of intelligence
General intelligence –> primary mental abilities –> task specific (low level abilties)
Fluid Intelligence
Used in learning new information and solving new problems.
Not based on previous knowledge. Declines with age.
Crystallized intelligence
Uses past learning and experience.
Remains stable with age.
Are Gf and Gc separate types of intelligence?
Thought to to be separate. –> Evidence: Different brain areas are used for different types of intelligence.
However, greater Gf may contribute to greater Gc over time.
Gardner’s 7 forms of intelligence
Verbal/linguistic
Logical/mathematical
Visuospatial
Bodily/kinesthetic
Musical/rhythmical
Self/intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existential
Savants
Individuals with low mental capacity in most domains but extraordinary abilities in other areas
In twin and adoption studies, do genes have an relation to intelligence?
Yes, as genetic relatedness increase, so does similarity in IQ scores.
Evidence suggests the same in identical twins raised apart.
Behavioral Genomics
Examines how specific genes interact with the environment to influence behaviors.
Gene Knockout (KO) studies
Removal of specific genes in an animal and observation of associated behavior.
Transgenic animal studies
Insertion of genetic material into animal.
Is the surface area of the brain (gyri and sulci) strongly related to intelligence?
Yes
What happens to animals raised in physically and socially stimulating environments?
They demonstrate faster learning, enhanced brain development.
Why is it possible that older children in families have a higher IQ?
More 1 on 1 attention from parents.
Opportunity to teach younger siblings → deeper processing of
information.
Children from higher SES families are…?
Are exposed to larger and richer vocabulary.
Receive more support in favour of intellectual pursuits and development.
Receive more interaction with parents.
Have more access to literature and computers.
Have more opportunity for learning experiences outside the home.
Receive less punishment from parents.
How is nutrition related to intelligence?
Higher saturated fat diets –> Lower cognitive functioning.
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and children
Type of diet early in life can
influence later IQ scores
Flynn Effect
Steady population-level increase in intelligence test scores over
time.
