week 1 Flashcards
What is individual differences
Emphasises is that there is also significant variation between people
What are the individual differences models
Structural model: the nature of individual differences. How do individuals differ
Process models: Why, where and when people differ and give depth to understanding the how
What are the comparing and combining theories
Comparing theories- researchers compare different theories to find the best theories that account for individual differences in a concept
Combining theories- researchers combine theories to find better underlying theoretical explanations with existing theories
Individual differences is composed of three main areas
Intelligence- has a broad definition, Personality- the thoughts and feelings that typically describe us, Psychometrics- the measurement of individual difference
Why do we study individual differences
Its interesting, psychological tests are useful in applied psychology, tests are useful dependent variables in other branches of psychology, Other branches of psychology can predict behaviour better when they consider individual differences
Is their a definition for intelligence
No as it is so hard to define
cultural differences in intelligence
Intelligence in Africa is to develop skills that help stable intergroup relations
In China- emphasis on benevolence and doing what is right
Origins of intelligence testing
Binet’s response- created a standardised test. Piloted with 50 children representing average in each year group
test generated a mental age.
Goal= to design a robust test to predict difference in school performance. Saw intelligence as being all about practical sense and adaptation to the real world
Stanford-Binet
Terman developed a US version of Binet’s test. Large scale studies allowed him to test reliability and improve it. Score is represented as IQ
Charles Spearmen
used factor analysis to show different ability test are. Intercorrelated and common variance can be represented in terms of a general factor
Louis Thurstone
Questioned Spearman’s g.
He said that even with an underlying intelligence factor there are 7 primary abilities
What is fluid intelligence
ability to perform well on non-verbal tasks not requiring previous knowledge but measure a pure, culture-free element of cognitive performance
What is crystallised intelligence
Ability to do well on verbal tasks which are substantially influenced by previous knowledge and culture
Wechsler adult intelligence scale
Developed test for general population. In the study correlation between sub-test were significant and positive. Pattern of correlation supported Cattell’s idea that some types of test are more interrelated than other 4 group factors. Underlying factors clearly identified
What is IQ correlated with
IQ correlated with health and length of life
