Personality and intelligence testing Flashcards
How did Darwin influence the development of intelligence testing?
Darwin’s theory of natural selection shifted focus to individual differences, inspiring psychologists to study traits like intelligence.
What were researchers interested in pre- and post-Darwin?
Pre-Darwin: Focused on averages and similarities.
Post-Darwin: Investigated individual differences in traits like intelligence.
Who was Sir Francis Galton, and what did he contribute?
A polymath who introduced statistical methods and investigated heredity and intelligence in works like Hereditary Genius (1869).
What methodology did Galton pioneer?
The first comparison of identical and fraternal twins to study nature vs. nurture.
Why was the Binet-Simon scale developed?
To differentiate between normal and cognitively impaired children for educational support.
What was the concept of “mental age”?
The age at which a child performs mental tasks typical of their chronological age group.
What are examples of test items for 3- and 6-year-olds in the Binet-Simon scale?
Age 3: Identify objects and repeat two words.
Age 6: Explain differences between similar items and solve analogies.
What test items were designed for 12-year-olds?
Define abstract words, repeat five digits backward, and solve verbal absurdities.
What was Binet’s goal for the intelligence test?
To identify children needing specialised education, not to label or rank typically developing children.
How did American psychologists misinterpret Binet’s intentions?
They believed intelligence was inherited and used IQ scores to assign roles in society.
What classifications did Goddard create for mental deficiencies?
Idiots: MA < 3 years.
Imbeciles: MA 3-7 years.
Morons: MA 8-12 years.
How did Goddard misuse the Binet test?
He advocated its use to segregate, institutionalise, and prevent the reproduction of those he deemed “feeble-minded.”
How did Goddard apply intelligence tests to immigrants?
He tested non-English-speaking immigrants at Ellis Island, labelling many as “feeble-minded” based on culturally biased tasks.
What were the consequences of Goddard’s testing at Ellis Island?
Deportations for mental deficiency increased dramatically, with many tests conducted under unfair conditions.
What were Yerkes’ contributions to IQ testing?
He developed tests for 1.75 million army recruits:
Alpha test: For literate men.
Beta test: For illiterate men.
Interview: For men who failed both tests.
What biases existed in Yerkes’ tests?
They measured familiarity with American culture rather than intelligence, disadvantaging immigrants and uneducated recruits.
What is eugenics?
The science of improving populations through controlled breeding to enhance desirable traits, coined by Galton in 1883.
How did the U.S. eugenics movement misuse intelligence testing?
It led to forced sterilisation laws and influenced Nazi policies on racial purity.
What was Carrie Buck’s case, and why is it significant?
Carrie, falsely deemed “feeble-minded,” was forcibly sterilised under eugenics laws. Her case legitimised forced sterilisation in the U.S.
How did the U.S. eugenics movement decline?
It lost support after the atrocities of Nazi Germany highlighted its inhumane practices.
What advancements did Wechsler introduce in IQ testing?
Separate verbal and non-verbal performance scales.
Tests suitable for adults.
Revised scoring systems to reflect specific abilities.
What are examples of Wechsler tests?
WAIS: For adults aged 16-90.
Child and preschool versions.
What are criticisms of traditional IQ testing?
Overemphasis on verbal ability.
Lack of consideration for creativity, social skills, or non-verbal intelligence.
Potential to limit opportunities for individuals with low scores.
What is psychometric testing?
A standardized method to measure personality, aptitude, and abilities, focusing on reliability and validity.
What are the two categories of psychometric tests?
Disposition tests: Measure personality traits, values, and interests.
Performance tests: Measure ability, aptitude, and achievement.
What is reliability in psychometric testing?
The consistency of a test’s results over time, including test-retest reliability and internal consistency.
What is validity in psychometric testing?
The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure, including predictive and content validity.
What challenges exist in psychometric testing?
Emotional state of test-takers.
Fluctuation of traits over time.
Administrator training and scoring errors.
Misuse of norms and incorrect feedback.
Are there alternatives to traditional intelligence testing?
Neuroscience approaches, such as studying brain structures (e.g., Einstein’s corpus callosum), may provide new insights into intelligence.
