Intelligence Flashcards
What is intelligence?
The mental abilities necessary for adaptation to, as well as selection and shaping of, any environmental context. Although intelligence behaviour may differ from one environmental context to the other, the mental processes underlying this behaviour do not.
It involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn form experience.
How do we measure intelligence?
Intelligence quotient. Mental age/chronological age.
Wechsler Intelligence scale: IQ test which measures intelligence and cognitive ability.
What determines intelligence?
Genetics Environment: Pregnancy and childbirth Family and quality of care Schools and peer group Community: Socioeconomic deprivation.
What are the scales of intellectual disability?
Mild: IQ 50-70. Development during early life is slowed, but they can communicate and learn basic skills. Impaired ability to use abstract concepts, analyse and synthesise information.
Moderate: IQ 35-50. Slow in meeting developmental intellectual milestones. Ability to learn and think logically is impaired but are able to communicate and look after themselves with some support.
Severe: IQ 20-35. Every aspect in development is distinctively delayed. Difficulty pronouncing words, limited vocabulary. Need care support.
Profound: IQ less than 20. Cannot take care of themselves, have no language. Limited capacity to express emotions. Seizures, physical disabilities and reduced life expectancy are common
What are some medical conditions associated with intellectual disability?
1: Prenatal.
Downs, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, Cerebral palsy and more.
2: Perinatal. E.g neonatal jaundice, obstetric complications.
3: Post natal. E.g Meningitis, trauma.
What are some physical features of down syndrome?
Small head Round face Epicanthic folds Large fissured tongue Low set ears Short stature Cardiac and GIT malformations.
What is the genetics and behavioural profile of Downs?
IQ range 30-70.
Trisomy 21.
Preschool: Sensory sensitvities (light, sound)
School age: Hyperactivity, impulsivity.
Autistic features: Abnormalities in social reciprocity and interst in people.
Adolescents: Risk deprssion, obsessive compulsive behaviour
What is fragile X syndrome?
Becomes obvious at age 10. Large head, high forehead. Prominent ears, mid-facial hypoplasia and prognathism. Connective tissue problems (joint laxity, flat feet, occasionally mitral valve prolapse).
Commonest heritable form of intellectual disability.
What is the cause of fragile X?
Deficiency or absence of FMR1, caused by expansion of CGG trinucleotide repeats in FMR1.
What are the cognitive symptoms of fragile X?
Cognitive deficits: Short term visuospatial memory deficits, impaired motor planning, repetitive and impulsive interactional style.
SPeech: Immature expressive syntax, perseverative language.
Social anxiety, shyness with gaze avoidance.
Mood disturbance, anxiety
Inattentive, restless, fidgety.
What is tuberous sclerosis?
Initially present as areas of hypopigmentation, developing into other disorders such as adenoma sebeceum and shagreen patch.
There can be infantile epileptic spasms.
2 genes:
TSC1 coding for hamartin
TSC 2 coding for tuberin.
Hamartomas found in any tissue.
What is williams syndrome?
90% of cases are microdeletion of part of chromosome 7 at 7q11.2, including over 20 genes including Elastin and Lim kinase 1 (expressed in brain, linked to visuospatial abnormalities).
What are the physical features of williams syndrome?
Facial: Elf like features. Wide mouth, large flattened bridge of nose, bulgy cheeks, widely spaced teeth.
Early problems: Low birth weight, slow weight gain, slow feeding, restless sleeping, irritability.
Heart problems: Supravaluvular aortic stenosis.
What is the WS behavioural profile?
Low intellectual ability, visuospatial skills low. Language delayed.
Social interactions: Lack reciprocity, but may have good empathy.
Hyperactivity in early years- inattention, uninhibited behaviour, excessive talking, unable to make friends with peers. Obsessional interests in certain things.
Hypersensitivity to noise- great distress on loud noises e.g bursting balloons
What is the link between ID and psychiatric disorder?
Mild ID: 30% have psychiatric disorders
Severe ID: 40-50% have psychiatric disorders.
