INTELLIGENCE:IQ & TESTING

INTELLIGENCEThe ability to acquire new ideas and new behavior, and to adapt to new situations.

Different views on Intelligence exist

Two-Factor Theory: Intelligence includes a general ability (g) level and specific mental abilities (s)

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory: Numerous (8) and unrelated intelligences

Emotional Intelligence: The ability to perceive, use, understand, and regulate emotions.

Sample Question: The Mental Rotation Test

Which two of the other circles contain a configuration of blocksidentical to the one in the circle at the left?

Standard Responses

Sample WAIS Verbal tasks:

INTELLIGENCE TESTMeasure IQ, or a standardized measure of intelligence based on a scale of which 100 is average

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: • Originally meant for children; adapted for adults• Groups test items by age level• 100 is average for given age

Wechsler Tests: • More common today• Three versions (2-6, 6-16, 16-89)•More detailed scoring

IQ SCORES – What do they mean?

Average score is 100

Traditionally 70 or below = mentally handicapped

Good indicator of success in school

Do not predict success in the real world

Nature v. Nurture: Both genetic factors & the environment play a role in IQ. The % each contributes is debatable.

Cultural Bias: wording used in questions may be more familiar to people or one social group than to another group

Direct measurements of intelligence1. Brain volume correlates

moderately (0.44) with intelligence (head size does NOT).

2. Glucose consumption may correlate negatively (-0.58) with ability on cognitive tasks.

3. Speed at which one can perceive an image (+0.4)

4. Speed at which brain waves register a stimulus.

Are There Multiple Intelligences? Savant Syndrome

condition in which a person otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific skill computation drawing

Are There Multiple Intelligences?

Social Intelligence the know-how involved in comprehending social situations and managing oneself successfully

Emotional Intelligence ability to perceive, express, understand, and regulate emotions

Intelligence and Creativity

Creativity the ability to produce novel and valuable ideas expertise imaginative thinking skills intrinsic motivation creative environment

Howard Gardner and Multiple Intelligences