Intelligence & IQ Testing

Question 1

What does Galton’s theory of intelligence suggest?

Answer 1

Better senses acquire more knowledge

Question 2

What did the first intelligence test by Binet and Simon focus on?

Answer 2

Higher mental processes like reasoning, understanding, and judgement

Question 3

Most people who see intelligence in abstract thinking are related to what?

Answer 3

Adapting to novel environmental circumstances, ability to acquire knowledge and benefit from experience

Question 4

What does Spearman’s theory of intelligence suggest?

Answer 4

Positive correlations among all items on IQ tests led to development of general intelligence (g) and specific abilities (s)

Question 5

In Spearman’s development of g & s, what do they stand for?

Answer 5

G - general intelligence accounts for overall differences in intellect among people
S - our particular skills are reflected in our specific abilities

Question 6

Cattell and Horn theorized that intelligence was a mix of two capacities. What were they?

Answer 6

1. Capacity to learn new ways of solving problems, fluid intelligence
2. Accumulated knowledge, or crystallized intelligence

Question 7

What did Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory suggest?

Answer 7

Different “frames of mind” are different ways of thinking about the world, different types of intelligence

Question 8

Why is Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory controversial scientifically?

Answer 8

Virtually impossible to falsify, no good evidence the intelligences are independent of each other, unclear why certain abilities classify as intelligences

Question 9

What does Sternberg’s Triarchic Model suggest?

Answer 9

There are 3 largely distinct types of intelligence that may or may not overlap:
1. Analytical (book smarts)
2. Practical (street smarts)
3. Creative (creativity)

Question 10

What is intelligence related to as a central theme?

Answer 10

Related to efficiency or speed of processing

Question 11

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?

Answer 11

The double curse of incompetence and metacognitive skills

Question 12

Binet’s concept of mental age lead to the development of what?

Answer 12

The intelligence quotient (IQ) –> formula is mental age/chronological age * 100 = IQ

Question 13

Modern IQ tests use some techinique to eliminate age effects. What is this called?

Answer 13

Deviation IQ

Question 14

How were IQ tests abused?

Answer 14

Led to worry about “low IQ”, eugenics movement, forcible sterilization and immigration laws

Question 15

What is the most commonly used IQ test for adults?

Answer 15

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Question 16

What are culture-fair IQ tests?

Answer 16

IQ tests that consist of abstract-reasoning items that don’t depend on language, uses Raven’s Progressive Matrices

Question 17

In children and adults, how stable are IQ scores over long periods of lime?

Answer 17

Children younger than 3 - highly unstable
Adults - very stable

Question 18

How valid are IQ scores?

Answer 18

Moderately successful, but not totally as success depends on motivation, curiosity, effort, and mental energy

Question 19

What is intellectual disability defined as?

Answer 19

Onset prior to adulthood, IQ below 70, inadequate adaptive functioning

Question 20

The more severe the intellectual disability, how likely is it to run in families?

Answer 20

Less likely

Question 21

Of over 200 difference causes, what are the 2 most common for intellectual disability?

Answer 21

Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome

Question 22

What does mental giftedness refer to?

Answer 22

The top 2% of IQ scores, many of which are doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors

Question 23

What makes a genius (mental giftedness)?

Answer 23

Genetic factors but also practice and dedication

Question 24

Why might schooling exert a causal influence on IQ?

Answer 24

Early intervention programs or head starts produce short-term increases
Results in lower rates of dropouts and being held back in school
Small impact of expectancy effects by teachers

Question 25

Why might poverty lead to lower IQ scores?

Answer 25

Lack of proper nutrition and exposure to lead

Question 26

What is the Flynn Effect?

Answer 26

Refers to the average IQ rising over time, about 3 points per 10 years

Question 27

What are 4 possible explanations through environmental changes that might explain the Flynn Effect?

Answer 27

1. Increased test sophistication
2. Increased complexity of modern world
3. Better nutrition
4. Changes at home and school

Question 28

How do IQ scores compare between men and women?

Answer 28

Little to no average differences between males and females, but males are more variable in their scores

Question 29

What are some consistent differences in terms of specific mental abilities between males and females?

Answer 29

Males succeed more in spatial ability tests
Females succeed more in verbal tasks or recognizing emotions

Question 30

There are racial differences in IQ, leading to some ethnicities scoring higher or lower than others. Why is racial superiority NOT the answer?

Answer 30

IQ differences appear to be shrinking, substantial overlap in IQ distribution, largely or even completely based on environment

Question 31

Which area of the brain has a slower development in gifted children?

Answer 31

Cerebral cortex

Question 32

Which part of the brain is especially active during highly “g-loaded”, or general intelligence loaded tasks?

Answer 32

Prefrontal cortex