Intelligence Testing Flashcards
Defining “intelligence”
Even with varying definitions of intelligence, there is some level of agreement:
- Adaptation to the environment
- Basic mental processes
- Higher-order thinking (e.g. reasoning, problem solving, decision making)
This could include:
* Abstract thinking or reasoning
* Problem solving
* Capacity to acquire knowledge
* Memory
* Cognitive flexibility
* Mental speed
* Linguistic competence
Factor analysis
a method of reducing the number of variables into principal components or “factors”
Simplify the concept - large number of variables into a small number of factors
Dimensionality reduction technique
Ex. personality traits OCEAN
Spearman’s two-factor theory (1927)
Intelligence = general factor (g) + specific factors (s)
- Found a high correlation between several cognitive abilities
- Theorized that a “g” factor might be the overarching
factor connecting them all
S = specific abilities - performance on specific tasks
Thurstone’s Multidimensional Theory (1938)
Intelligence à a composition of many interconnected
but distinct abilities
Identified 7 primary mental abilities:
verbal comprehension,
number skills,
word fluency,
memory,
perceptual speed,
inductive reasoning,
spatial visualization
VNW MPIS
Which theory of intelligence is correct?/ sources of variability
Both are possible - limitations of factor analysis
Difficulty with factor analysis - **Source of variability **
-Researcher’s a priori hypothesis about what intelligence should be
-Labels applied to factors
Researchers must assign meaning to the labels
Nearly descriptive categories of an underlying relationship between multiple variables - what elements load onto the main factor
-Number of factors included in the model
Researchers can make an educated decision about how many factors they want to include
Most current theories of intelligence are more so hierarchical in nature
Hierarchial theories
A combination of theories
- ”g” factor at the top of the hierarchy
- Several broad classes of abilities in the middle= Memory processing speed, fluid intelligence, crystalized intelligence, —Primary factors / specialized skills at the bottom
Specific factors
Labels of where things are can vary depending on the model
IQ is one way of measuring your general mental ability - g
What can intelligence testing tell us?
IQ score = intelligence quotient score
- A measure of the person’s current level of functioning
- Long-term prediction is less accurate
Intelligence Testing
Utility?
- Predicting future behaviour (within a certain range of years)
- Predictive of academic achievement
- Sensitive to the presence of neuropsychological deficits - some dont necessarily target neuropsychological characteristics - does tap into attention, processing speed
Intelligence Testing
Criticisms
*Biased toward convergent, analytical, and scientific modes of thought
- Lack of emphasis on divergent, artistic, and imaginative modes
Being more broad not as linear - Lacks testing of social acumen & social fluency / getting along with the world
Ability to deal with the daily world and social fluency, theory of mind - Detached from underlying processes
- IQs are deeply personal
Need to understand WHY a child might be getting that score or performing in the way that they do
Not done to a child, you want to benefit the child
WISC - Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
1930’s: Wechsler systemized subtests into a standard point scale
o WBIS> WISC, WAIS, WPPSI
Improved norms, changes in society and culture, more representative of the target population you’ve studied.
- Selection of subtests guided by a
conceptualization of intelligence that emphasizes “g
WISC Utility
Provides valuable information about the strengths and weaknesses of the individual
Standardized procedures allow for the comparison of a child’s performance to be compared to that of age-related peers - baseline measure of a child and also determine how they are progressing over time
—Standardizing = meaning from the score - comparing to peers, cant compare raw scores - compare to the norm
—Identify strengths and needs, compare performance across time
WISC -IV Subtests /SCALE
15 subtests
o 10 core
o 5 supplementary
Full scale comprised of 4 composite scores
* Verbal comprehension (VC)
* Working memory (WM)
* Perceptual reasoning (PR)
* Processing speed (PS)
WISC Scoring
- Obtain raw scores for each test
- Sum the raw scores
- Summed scores are converted into scaled scores by consulting a table specific to the age of the child
why are standardization studies important
Allows inferences to be made about the child’s performance
WISC verbal comprehension
CORE
similarities
vocabulary
comprehension
SUPP
information
word reasoning
WISC working memory
CORE
digit span
letter-number sequencing
SUPP
arithmetic
WISC perceptual reasoning
CORE
block design
picture concepts
matrix reasoning
SUPP
picture completion
WISC processing speed
CODE
coding
symbol search
SUPP
cancellation