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Intelligence

Gary Laver


  1. Intelligence testing is one part of
    MENTAL MEASUREMENT (PSYCHOMETRICS).

  2. Whatis intelligence?

    A combination of abilities enabling one toŠ

    • learn from experience
    • reason or think abstractly
    • meet challenges & adapt


  3. Intelligence testing in the 20th century

    1. Alfred Binet

      Formally testing an individual and comparing them to a norm

      Norms ‹ Indicate what is typical performance on a test

    2. William Stern

      Comparison of mental age and chronological age

      IQ = Mental Age/Chronological Age x 100


    3. Problems with the IQ

      6/4 x 100 = 150 Equivalent to 15/10 x 100 = 150??
      Does 36/24 x 100 = 150 make sense?


    4. David Wechsler
      Dropped the ratio IQ in favor of a deviation IQ,
      and tested adults as well


    5. What should be measured?

      How many intelligences are there?

      1. Charles Spearman
        g factor (general intelligence)
        s factors (domain specific
      2. Howard Gardner¹s 7­factor theory:

        • Verbal/Linguistic
        • Logical/Mathematical
        • Visual/Spatial
        • Body/Kinesthetic
        • Musical
        • Interpersonal
        • Intrapersonal


    6. What qualities should a good intelligence test have?

      1. Validity
        Does the test really measure intelligence and not something else?
      2. Reliability
        Does the test produce consistent measurements?
      3. Norms
        Are you being fairly compared?


    7. What makes an intelligence test flawed?

      1. Poor Validity
        Many intelligence tests are sensitive to social factors in addition to intelligence.
      2. Poor norms
        You¹re being compared to people who are unlike you.
      3. Inappropriate application
        The test measures something that has nothing to do with your school or job.
      Bell Curve Criticism



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