Introduction to Psychology

Intelligence

What is Intelligence?

The global capacity to:

Act purposefully

Think rationally

Deal effectively with the environment

History of Intelligence Testing

Francis Galton:

Classification based on “natural gifts”

Eugenics- selective breeding for a “better race”

History of Intelligence Testing

Binet: 1905

Developed an intelligence test

Identifying children who need extra help

Did not believe IQ is destiny

History of Intelligence Testing Goddard:

Believed IQ is innate and cannot be changed

Brought IQ tests to the US

Advocated forced sterilization

Tested immigrants; Determined 80% were MR

IQ tests

Stanford Binet

Weschler: for adults and children

The Normal Curve and Stanford-Binet IQ Scores

Fig. 8.1

IQ Score Ranges: Weschler

70-79 Borderline 80-89 Low Average 90-109 Average 110-119 High Average 120-129 Superior 130+ Very Superior

Formula for IQ

Mental Age/Chronological Age X 100

If mental age is 12, chronological age is 10, then:

12/10 x 100 = 120 IQ 10/10 x 100 = 100 IQ

Wechsler Verbal:

Information Comprehension Arithmetic Similarities Vocabulary

Performance: Picture

arrangement Picture

completion Block design Object assembly Digit span

Change in IQ Scores IQ scores usually become fairly

stable by middle childhood

Small, gradual increases up to age 40

IQ scores may decline due to: Chronic illness, drinking, unstimulating

lifestyles

IQ Scores

What can IQ scores predict?

Correlation between IQ and school grades

Achievement test performance

IQ scores IQ is LESS predictive of motivation,

leadership, talents Only accounts for ¼ the variation in job

success

Other factors: Motivation, health, social skills

Evaluating IQ tests

Reliability: will the person get approximately the same score each time?

Validity: does the test measure what it is supposed to measure?

Evaluating IQ tests

Standardized: are the same instructions given in the same way to each person?

Norm: comparing the individual with an appropriate population

Compared to the group, is the score high, low, average?

Evaluating IQ tests

Interactions between test administrator and test taker

Importance of building rapport

The Role of Nature/Nurture Nature

Genetics:

Some evidence that variation in IQ scores are due to heredity

Twin/adoption studies

Nurture Environment

Enrichment, deprivation, educational quality

Intervention programs

Cultural Bias in IQ Tests

Knowledge based on exposure, quality of education “Orchestra” “Horseback riding”

Culturally appropriate behavior:

Calling police/authorities

Stereotype Threat

Anxiety that one’s behavior might confirm a negative stereotype against one’s ethnic/racial group

Measuring IQ or just assessing the test? African-American students performed as

well as other groups when they didn’t believe their IQs were being measured (Steele & Aronson, 1995)

IQ Tests

Contributions?

Critique?

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory

Many diverse intelligences or “ways of knowing”

Not all excel at math and verbal skills

These individuals are underserved in the educational system

Multiple Intelligence Theory Verbal

Mathematical

Spatial

Bodily-kinesthetic

Musical

Interpersonal

Intrapersonal

Naturalist

MI Theory in the Classroom

How would you present a topic about Native Americans using Gardner’s MI theory?

Multiple Intelligence Theory Contributions

Acknowledges diverse ways of knowing

Educational application

Critique Not specific

enough

Are these intelligences or talents?

Difficult to measure

Mental Retardation

Both IQ and daily living skills are taken into account

Classification of Mental Retardation based on IQ

Fig. 8.11

Adaptive Living Skills

Self-care Assesses independence

Causes of Mental Retardation

Organic: genetic disorder or brain damage

Familial: growing up in a deprived environment

Mental Retardation as a Social Construction

1970s: Change in IQ cutoff score for diagnosis of MR

Savant Syndrome

“Islands of brilliance” Developmental disabilities

The skill/talent stands in great contrast to the individual’s overall level of functioning

Savant Syndrome

Autism MR Brain Injury/Disease Acquired Savant Syndrome

Savant Syndrome

Possible Causes Damage to left hemisphere, right

hemisphere compensates

Eidetic imagery

Practice