Lecture 5 - Intelligence Flashcards
Intelligence
The ability to learn, to meet demands of the environment effectively, and to understand and control one’s mental activities.
Intelligence is a psychological construct - variable that needs to be operationalized
How Do Psychologists Operationalize Intelligence?
Intelligence (IQ) Tests - Most Common Operationalization of Intelligence
First IQ Test In France
Tested “mental age” to identify kids with special needs.
- Measured Reasoning Ability
- Somewhat predicted academic success
IQ = Mental age (score) / Chronological Age x 100
Limitations of IQ Tests
They rely on participants’ verbal ability
* Problematic for non-native speakers and immigrants
WAIS - Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Most Widely USed IQ Measure Today.
* Assessed both verbal and performance IQ
* Follows a bell curve
The Dark History of IQ Testing: Video
In 1905, psychologists Alfred Binet & Théodore Simon designed a test for struggling children in France. This method formed the basis of the IQ test.
Researchers hypothesized that cognitive abilities like verbal reasoning, working memory, and visual spatial skills underlined a general intelligence (G Factor).
The test is scored at how well they performed RELATIVE TO THEIR AGE.
68% of population scored within 15 points of 100.
General Intelligence = G Factor
First Large scale implementation of the IQ test was used in the US during WW2. Military used the IQ test to sort recruits and screen them.
Eugenics = Eugenics is a movement that tried to improve the genetic quality of human populations through selective breeding. It aimed to encourage reproduction among people with “desirable” traits and discourage or prevent reproduction among those with “undesirable” traits.
Scientists used the results of the military tests to make claims that certain racial groups were intellectually superior than others. The tests resulted this way because the immigrants lacked formal education and English exposure.
Flynn Effect = when newer generations scored better on older IQ tests than the previous generations. Likely due to an increase in education as time went by
Despite all of this, the IQ test is not worthless. It does a good job of measuring reasoning and problem-solving skills
2 Pros and Cons of IQ Test
Pros:
* Evaluates Reasoning Skills
* Evaluates Problem-Solving Skills
Cons:
* Unfair for immigrants/ people who arent able to speak sufficient English
* Does not measure a persons potential
Two-Factor Theory of IQ (Spearmen)
Theory suggests that intelligence is composed of 2 parts:
General Intelligence: Broad cognitive ability that influences performance on all intellectual tasks.
Specific Intelligence: Abilities or skills that are specific to particular tasks or domains. (e.g. math, arts)
Factor Analysis: Statistical technique using correlations to identify overlap
He concluded that all cognitive abilities share a common core, which is general intelligence that is common to all cognitive functioning. This is why people who are good at one cognitive task tend to be good at others.
Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence
Interested in how people apply intelligence in the real world.
Said IQ is made of 3 Interacting Components:
Internal - Analytic:
* Comparing, analyzing, and evaluating
* Correlates best with standard IQ
External - Creative:
* Inventing or designing solutions to new problems
* Transfer of skills to new situations
Experiential - Practical:
* Application of things you know in everday contexts
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory
Intelligence is a collection of distinct types of Intelligences.
Ex.
* Musical Smart
* Body Smart
* People Smart
* Word Smart
* Logic Smart
* Nature Smart
* Self-Smart
* Picture Mart
This theory lacks empirical support, and not easily falsifiable.
Different Learning Styles have been discredited by evidence!
How Many Intelligences are There?
Depends on how they operationalize.
Clearly more than what IQ Tests Currently Assess.
* Field of Psychology lacks rigorous measures for many alternative types of intelligence.
Psychometric Approach to Measuring Intelligence
A method of defining intelligence that attempts to measure it with carefully constructed psychological tests
A Psychological Test Must Have:
Reliability - Test Produces same scores over time (stable and consistent)
Validity - Test Accurately Measures or Predicts what it is supposed to measure or predict (captures variable it is supposed to measure)
Reliability and Validity
Reliability is a prerequisite for Validity
* A test can be reliable, but not valid
Are IQ Tests Valid and Reliable?
Evidence suggests some validity - valid indicators of academic/verbal intelligence
Moderately Related to Occupational and social achievements, income, and health-related behaviours
CORRELATION does not = CAUSATION
Where Does Intelligence Come From?
Nature AND Nurture.
Ex.
Nature = Genes (Heritability)
Nurture = Environment (Family and Home environment, Culture, School)
