Traditional approaches to intelligence

Question 1

Which two researchers is early theories of intelligence linked to?

Answer 1

Francis Galton and Alfred Binet.

Question 2

What tests did Spearmen use to measure children’s thinking ability? (4)

Answer 2

• Vocabulary.
• Maths.
• Follow complex instructions.
• Matching colours.

Question 3

What was Spearman’s theory of intelligence? (2)

Answer 3

• A theory of general intelligence.
• He was the first to empirically study intelligence.

Question 4

What did Spearman discover for intelligence? (2)

Answer 4

• Spearman found that children‘s scores on mental tests were positively correlated.
• He concluded there is one general mental ability that underlies all cognitive performances, known as ‘g’.

Question 5

What is factor analysis? (2)

Answer 5

• Factor analysis is a data reduction technique.
• It helps us identify correlations between groups of variables.

Question 6

How did Thurstone explore intelligence?

Answer 6

Used factor analysis to explore the structure of intelligence using a large sample of tests.

Question 7

What are the main early theories of intelligence? (3)

Answer 7

1. Spearman.
2. Thurstone.
3. Gf-Gc theory.

Question 8

List 5 tests Thurstone used to test intelligence.

Answer 8

1. Verbal comprehension.
2. Word fluency.
3. Reasoning.
4. Memory.
5. Numbers.

Question 9

Describe the Gf-Gc theory.

Answer 9

A division of general intelligence into fluid intelligence (Gf) and crystallised intelligence (Gc).

Question 10

Describe fluid intelligence (Gf) (3).

Answer 10

• Does not require prior knowledge.
• Dependent on the workings of the central nervous system.
• Derived from genetic and biological effects.

Question 11

Describe crystallised intelligence (Gc) (2).

Answer 11

1. The skills and information that we acquire throughout life.
2. Reflects environmental influences.

Question 12

What happens to Gf and Gc with age? (2)

Answer 12

• Gf declines with age.
• Gc may increase with more experiences.

Question 13

What do current psychometric models of intelligence include that more traditional models did not?

Answer 13

Newer models generally propose a hierarchical structure which includes broader factors at the top and specific factors below.

Question 14

What is ‘hot’ intelligence?

Answer 14

The focus on being streetwise rather than book smart.

Question 15

Why is it important to study social intelligence? (2)

Answer 15

• Cognitive abilities are not perfect predictors of performance.
• May help us further understand psychological disorders.

Question 16

How did Thorndike conceptualise social intelligence? (2)

Answer 16

• The ability to manage others.
• Acting wisely in relationships.

Question 17

What did Gardner suggest for intelligence?

Answer 17

That previous definitions of intelligence were too narrow to encompass all types of intelligence, and that there was eight different intelligences.

Question 18

What is a limitation of Gardners theory.

Answer 18

He had no evidence to support his theory.

Question 19

Who were some forerunners in more modern approaches to intelligence? (3)

Answer 19

• Thorndike.
• Gardner.
• Sternberg.

Question 20

What was Sternberg’s theory of intelligence? (3)

Answer 20

• Intelligence means different things to different people.
• Intelligence is about adapting, shaping and selecting.
• Intelligence is made up of broader skills than what tests currently measure.

Question 21

What is emotional intelligence?

Answer 21

The ability to monitor your own and others feelings and to use this information to guide thinking and actions.

Question 22

What is the difference between ability and trait emotional intelligence?

Answer 22

• Ability EI measures an individual’s understanding of emotions.
• Trait EI measures behaviours in emotion-relevant situations.