Extremes of Intelligence

Question 1

Giftedness

Answer 1

· Identification issues – ideals vs practice
· IQ 2 SD above mean standard
· Creativity, leadership, special talent
· Stereotypes – weak, socially inept, emotionally troubled
· Lewis Terman (1925)- largely contradicted stereotypes
· Ellen Winner (1997) – moderately vs profoundly gifted tests
· Giftedness and high achieveing – beyond IQ
· Renzulli (2002) – intersection of three factors (IQ, creativity, motivation)
· Simonton (2001) – drudge theory and inborn talent
“Hidden Gifted”- IQ tests may not capture all giftedness

Question 2

Intellectual Disability or Mental Retardation

Answer 2

· Diagnosis based on IQ and adaptive testing
· IQ 2 or more SD below mean
· Adaptive skill deficits (being or not being able to do everyday things
· Origination before age 18
· 4 levels: mild (55-70), moderate (40-55), severe (25-40), profound (below 25) (mild most common by far)
Causes: (environmental vs biological), an example is children being raised in different places can cause deficits