Lecture 7 - Human Intelligence Flashcards
What is Spearman’s model of intelligence
- 2 factor theory
- used factor analysis & found pps who did well on a given test did well on other tests too
first factor is general intelligence
second is specific intelligence
- Explains the correlation between different intelligence scores by this underlying general intelligence factor playing a part in it too
What is Thurstone’s model of intelligence
Thurstone’s Primary Mental Abilities (1938)
Intelligence is made up of group of 7 mental abilities
* Verbal comprehension
* Verbal fluency
* Number
* Spatial ability
* Memory
* Perceptual speed
* Inductive reasoning
This model doesn’t hold up
What is Cattell’s model of intelligence
Multi-factor model (1943)
Crystallised and fluid model of intelligence
What is Crystallised intelligence
Cattel (1943)
- Increases throughout life
- Reflects our cumulative learning experiences & knowledge
E.g., Verbal WAIS
What is Fluid Intelligence
Cattel (1943)
- Reasoning based
- Stabilises in adulthood
- E.g., Raven’s Matrices
How does Cattell’s model of intelligence differ to other models
Crystal intelligence increases over lifespan
Fluid intelligence increases but then falls from the age 30 onwards
How can psychologists test if intelligence can improve with training
Working memory training
- Limitations in WM ability might account for reading impairments or other language abilities
-eg math abilities
(Adams & Gathercole, 2000)
How does working memory link with intelligence
possible link w/ fluid intelligence &
WM ability
(Engle, 2002)
what is the difference in near transfer effects and far transfer effects in intelligence testing
- Near transfer effect = improvements in similar task
- Far transfer effects = improvements in diff tasks
Does WM training result in improved intelligence
WM training results in NO significant change in FAR transfer effects but YES for NEAR
meta-analysis of 87 publications
Melby-Lervåg et al (2016)
What is the Flynn Effect
continued year-on-year rise of intelligence test scores in all parts of the world
When comparing old & new test versions, the same group of test- takers would find the old version easier
(newer & younger generations are smarter than older ones)
How is the Flynn effect measured
USA Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) scores in 1947/1948 vs. 1972
- Group that averaged 100 on the 1972 version, got 108 on 1947 version
These samples were setting higher standards for IQ testing
- Thus iot get an average 100 in 1972, you needed to be more intelligent
- Thus Americans have gained 8 IQ points in 24 years.
What is the main study Flynn conducted to test for the Flynn effect
Flynn looked at 73 studies
(7,500 US pps) ages 2-48
- Stanford-Binet test, 1932-1978
- IQ scores had raised by 14 points
What was the initial explanation for the Flynn effect
Schooling in the US has just improved
- Increased access
- Modernisation of curriculum
- Increased federal investment
- Greater integration following civil rights movement
- Increased enrolment (compulsory)
What did Flynn find within cultures outside USA
Flynn (1987; 1994) seminal papers in the literature
- Across several nations and different intelligence tests, there are increases in IQ points over time
How does Flynn explain the Flynn effect
IQ tests are flawed and don’t test intelligence but rather something highly correlated with it
perhaps IQ tests test problem solving and abstract reasoning
What evidence supports Flynn’s explanation of IQ tests being flawed
Fluid intelligence increases rather than crystallised intelligence
Why can we assume IQ DOESN’T increase over generations, when faced with the Flynn effect
- No increases in ppl with exceptionally high IQ
- Results just show an increase in average IQ
What are the 5 main explanations for the Flynn effect
- Schooling
- Test-taking sophistication
- Parenting style
- Technology
- Nutrition
What evidence is there that the betterment of schooling is a cause of the Flynn effect
Cahan and Cohen (1989)
Cahan and Cohen (1989)
What did Cahan & Cohen (1989) find
Schooling as an explanation for the Flynn effect
- Verbal tests - length of schooling was a stronger predictor than age
- Non verbal tests - length of schooling was a smaller predictor
What is a weakness of Cahan & Cohen (1989)
Schooling as an explanation for the Flynn effect
Schooling only explains rise in verbal/knowledge based intelligence testing
-Rather than non-verbal tests
How is test-taking sophistication an explanation for the Flynn effect
We know more about tests than before
- E.g., online IQ tests are widespread
-wasn’t the case in 1950s! - Tests are carefully explained to any pp & done in regulated environment
How is parenting style an explanation for the Flynn effect
Greater focus on children’s intelligence today than before
• Palmer (2003) - Sesame street
- Parents nurture intelligence in modern society
-where intelligence is a prerequisite to a stable career path
-compared to just working in a factory at age 12
What is an example of how parentings styles could have been improved using teh influence of schooling or osmerhitn g(wording)
Programs exist for disadvantaged children (closing the gap) e.g. Head start program
- Mckay et al (1985) Although evidence for these types of programs show that gains are short term.
- Locurta (1991) initial increase in IQ points were lost after 2 to 3 years
How is technology an example of the Flynn effect
- Late 20th century saw rise in visual media and technology
- Children’s learning often makes use of this tech now
- E.g. basic computer programming/coding taught early nowadays
- Focus on our visual environment, nonverbal tasks are visual
What is a weakness of technology as an explanation of the Flynn effect
Difficult theory to test empirically
How is nutrition an explanation of the Flynn effect
Healthier food
What is one piece of evidence of nutrition being an explanation of the Flynn effect
Lynn (1990, 1998)
- Gains in human height (1.2cm per decade) have been attributed to better nutrition
- If intelligence is biological, then similar effect could exist
What is another piece of evidence that shows nutrition is an explanation of the Flynn effect
breastfeeding
Oddy et al (2004) and Smith et al (2003) breast feeding, and IQ positively linked
Der et al (2006) when controlling for mother’s intelligence this effect disappears
What is another piece of evidence that shows nutrition is an explanation of the Flynn effect
Qian et al (2005)
Qian et al (2005)
Iodine Nutrition & cognitive performance
most hormones in humans require iodine, to be formed
What is another piece of evidence that shows nutrition is an explanation of the Flynn effect
(Benton & Roberts, 1998)
Vitamin supplements shown to rise non-verbal IQ scores in children compared to placebo group (Benton & Roberts, 1998)
What is a criticism of Benton & Roberts (1998) study regarding nutrition as an explanation of the Flynn effect
Replications of the effect have been mixed
-original study received a lot of press but a lot of criticism from scientists too
(Schoenthaler et al, 2000; Crombie et al, 1990)
What are the two hypotheses regarding the explanations of the Flynn effect
Cognitive stimulation hypothesis
Nutrition hypothesis
What is the cognitive stimulation hypothesis
Explanations for the Flynn effect
Cognitive stimulation hypothesis: cultural & environmental changes mean improvements in scores arise from greater cognitive stimulation
Schooling; Test-taking sophistication; Parenting style; Technology
What is the nutrition hypothesis
Explanations for the Flynn effect
Nutrition hypothesis: increased health & well-being through nutrition means improvements also occur in intelligence.
How to test?
Cog-stim: increase in all generations at all
IQ scores.
* Nutrition: bigger gains at bottom because
nutritional deprivation is greatest here.
What did? Colom et al (2004)
Lynn and Hampson (1986)
Teasdale and Owen (1989)
Compared tests from two equivalent samples (1970 vs. 1999).
Gains in the top half of the distribution
(the right of the mean) were negligible.
Any observed gains were concentrated on the medium/lower half of distribution.
Nutrition hypothesis supported
Weakness of these above tests
Only access to a few countries
Only a few of those feweven show support
No variance reduce over time in everything
Flynn (2007)
What’s the limit for human intelligence
There’s a reverse Flynn effect since the 80s/90s to 00s
