Paper 3 - Child 1 - Intelligence Flashcards
explain the background study done by Gould
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Explain the background study by Flynn
- nutrition is a biological fcator because it affects the functioning of biological systems, it is apart of our biological environment
- effeicient neurotransmitter functioning depends on the presence of certain chemicals in the diet
- he noticed that IQ scores in most countries increased decade after decades since the 1930s
- as diet improved there was generational gain known as the flynn effect
what is the ain of Van Leeuwens study
- carry out an extended twin study
- which would test is phenotypic assortement or social homogamy is a better explanation for variation in IQ
- investigate if biological factors (phenotype) and/or environmental factors (phenotype) affect intelligence more
what is the method of Van leeuwens study
- correlation of IQ of twins, siblins are parents
what is the sample of Van leeuwens study
- a letter was sent to 214 Dutch families inviting them to take part in the study
- The families were selected from the netherlands twin registery
- the families included a set of twins and an additional sibling
- 112 families agreed to take part
- MZ and DZ twins
what is the materials of Van leeuwens study
- children’s intelligence was assessed at the Free University of Amsterdam using Ravens standard progressive matrices
- The parents completed Raven’s advanced progressive matrices, a more difficult version
- Both tests provided a score that indicated general intelligence
what is the procedure of Van leeuwens study
- the children and their parents visited the university to be tested
- completed tests in separate rooms
- procedure took 5 hours including breaks
- twin status was established by parents taking cheek swabs from themseleves and children
- The university’s medical centre used a genetic tested machine to detemine if they were MZ or DZ twins
- this is a standardised method
- For 2 twin pairs a questionnaire was used instead
explain the results of Van leeuwens study
- 67% of IQ variance was due to genetics
- 33% was due to environmental effects
explain the conclusions of Van leeuwens study
- individual differences in intelligence are largely explained by genes that are passed on from parents to offspring (transmission of genes), while cultural tramsmission from parents does not have an effect
- environmental factors are much more important in children with a predispostion for low IQ than those predisposed to high IQ
- environmental factors which influence IQ are generally not shared by siblings
- all of the results are consistent with spearman’s view that the general intelligence factor g is mostly inherited.
evaluate validity of this topic
1.Van leeuwens study - doubts over validity of Ravens standard progressive matrices because it depends on the validity of spearman’s g as an explanation of intelligence which is increasingly rejected.
2. Van leeuwen - low population validity - only Dutch
3. Yerkes Iq testing - low internal validity
evaluate reliability of this topic
- Van leeuwen - used standardised procedures and techniques, e.g. swab tests.
- Van leeuwens - raven tests are considered to have good internal and external reliability, however 2 were tested using a questionnaire
- Yerkes - un reliable
explain the sampling bias of this topic
- Van leeuwens study - pps from netherland twin registery
- Van leeuwen - significant medical history, psychiatric problems, specical educational needs or physical disabilites were exlcuded.
- Yerkes - US army soldiers which come from a range of cultures and countries
explain the ethnocentrism of this study
- Van leeuwens study - used intelligence test that is known to be culture - fair, provides a measure of intelligence that is independent of language and education, so it makes no ethnocentric assumptions about the nature of intelligence
- Van leeuwens study only used dutch families - intelligence is a western assumption about superiority of logical and rational thinking. other culures may define it differently
- Yerkes test were based on American culture
explain the nature-nurture debate in this topic
- Van leeuwens study - intelligence is genetic
- flynn - nutrition is a biological fcator because it affects the functioning of biological systems, it is apart of our biological environment
nurture - twins share an environment - Gould - Gould argued that the tests were more a measure of education and cultural familiarity than innate intelligence
explain the freewill/ determinism debate in this topic
- results of van leeuwen supports that biological factors are responsible for individual differences in IQ - biological determinsim
- nutrition is a biological fcator because it affects the functioning of biological systems, it is apart of our biological environment - biological determinism
- freewill - Van leeuwen - freewill over choosing a partner, the child’s IQ is a result of this choice
explain holism/ reductionism debate in this topic
*biological reductionism - Van Leeuwen - genetics
* Biological reductionism - Flynn - nutrition
* Holistic- clear non biological factors that are influencing intelligence
explain the usefulness of research in this topic
- van leeuwen used reliable tests
- van leeuwen used a correlation which shows no cause and effect
- flynn shows how diet can impact IQ
Evaluate ethical considerations in this topic
- van leeuwen - some children may have found the test as difficult with the potential to lower their self esteem and cuase some anxiety. However they gave them short breaks
- Mcgue used children which is indirect informed consent
- Gould is socially sensitive
evaluate socially sensitive research in this topic
- strength - study rare behaviour, twins
- weakness - labelling - gould labels foreign people as dumb
- weakness - change in policies - gould - immigration laws
what are the 2 applications of assessing intelligence
- weschlsler intelligence scale for children (WISC)
- raven’s progressive matrices
what is the WISC
- measures the 5 main forms of intillectual functioning, each one is measured by 2 sub tests
- trained testers administer the test face to face with individual children in a session lasting between 15 mins and 3 hours.
- it can produce separate scores for various aspects of the child’s intellectual functioning but the overall score is a measure of general ability called full scale IQ.
What is the usefulness, effectiveness and practicalities of WISC
- usefulness - not culturally fair test because it depends on language skills,
- effectiveness - high internal reliability
- practicalities - can be done online and in person
what is the usefulness, effectivness and practicalities of ravens progressive matrices
- usefulness - culturally fair as doesnt dependent on language skills
- effectiveness - test re test reliability is high
- practicalities - more flexible and simple to interpret
what is the raven’s progressive matrices
- assesses fluid intelligence
- used on children
- pen and paper test consisting of 60 items
- each item shows a sequence of geometrical shapes and the pps must choose a shape which fits into the pattern
- there is an advanced version for adults
- takes between 15-45 mins
- can be used for disabilities
- produces a single raw score
evaluate psychology as a science in this topic
- Van leeuwen - low population validity - only Dutch
- Van leeuwen - used standardised procedures and techniques, e.g. swab tests.
- yerkes - unreliable
