INTELLIGENCE

Question 1

Achievement tests

Answer 1

An assessment that measures skills and knowledge that people have already learned.

Question 2

Alternate-forms reliability

Answer 2

The ability of a test to produce the same results when two different versions of it are given to the same group of people.

Question 3

Aptitude tests

Answer 3

An assessment that predicts people’s future ability to acquire skills or knowledge.

Question 4

Componential intelligence

Answer 4

The ability assessed by intelligence tests.

Question 5

Contextual intelligence

Answer 5

The ability to function effectively in daily situations.

Question 6

Creativity

Answer 6

The ability to generate novel, useful ideas.

Question 7

Crystallized intelligence

Answer 7

Intelligence based on the knowledge and skills accumulated over the life span.

Question 8

Experiential intelligence

Answer 8

The ability to adapt to new situations and produce new ideas.

Question 9

Flynn effect

Answer 9

Phenomenon showing that people’s performance on IQ tests has improved over time in industrialized countries.

Question 10

General intelligence factor (g)

Answer 10

An ability that underlies all intelligent behavior, proposed by Charles Spearman.

Question 11

Genes

Answer 11

Segments of DNA that function as hereditary units.

Question 12

Heritability

Answer 12

A mathematical estimate that indicates how much of a trait’s variation in a population can be attributed to genetic factors.

Question 13

Intelligence

Answer 13

The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge. It includes the ability to benefit from past experience, act purposefully, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.

Question 14

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

Answer 14

A person’s mental age divided by his or her chronological age and multiplied by 100.

Question 15

Mental age

Answer 15

The chronological age that typically corresponds to a particular level of performance. It is used as a measure of performance on intelligence tests.

Question 16

Norms

Answer 16

Data that provide information about how a person’s test score compares with the scores of other test takers.

Question 17

Percentile score

Answer 17

A score that indicates the percentage of people who achieved the same as or less than a particular score.

Question 18

Psychological test

Answer 18

An instrument that is used to collect information about personality traits, emotional states, aptitudes, interests, abilities, values, or behaviors.

Question 19

Reaction time

Answer 19

The amount of time a subject takes to respond to a stimulus.

Question 20

Reliability

Answer 20

The ability of a test to produce the same result when administered at different times to the same group of people.

Question 21

Test-retest reliability

Answer 21

The ability of a test to produce the same results when given to the same group of people at different times.

Question 22

Traits

Answer 22

Characteristic behaviors and feelings that are consistent and long lasting.

Question 23

Triarchic theory of intelligence

Answer 23

A theory proposed by Robert Sternberg that distinguishes among three aspects of intelligence.

Question 24

Validity

Answer 24

The ability of a test to measure the characteristic it is supposed to measure.

Question 25

Emotional intelligence

Answer 25

An ability that helps people perceive, express, understand, and regulate emotions.

Question 26

Mental age

Answer 26

The chronological age that typically corresponds to a particular level of performance. It is used as a measure of performance on intelligence tests.

Question 27

Psychometric approach

Answer 27

A method of understanding intelligence that emphasizes people’s performance on standardized aptitude tests.

Question 28

Reaction range

Answer 28

The limits that heredity places on characteristics such as IQ.

Question 29

Standardized tests

Answer 29

Tests with uniform procedures for administration and scoring.

Question 30

Standardization

Answer 30

The use of uniform procedures when administering and scoring tests.

Question 31

Twin studies

Answer 31

Studies in which researchers examine trait similarities between identical and fraternal twin pairs to figure out whether that trait might be inherited.