Intelligence

Intelligence refers to a broad range of cognitive abilities, but just what

those abilities are & how they should be defined

and measured remains a matter of debate.

The Essence of Intelligence

What is Intelligence? Continues to be disputed General def: involves abilities to

acquire knowledge, reason, solve problems

Complete picture must include measurements from variety of tasks

A hypothetical construct: not directly observable, but instead inferred from behavior

Early Theories Based on psychometric tradition – abilities that are measurable

Charles Spearman(1863 – 1945)

Emphasized “g” (the general intelligence factor)

Stable & measurable factor that underlies all skills & performance that requires cognitive ability

Recent rsch suggests single brain mechanism (frontal & parietal lobes) controls various forms of intelligence

Raymond Cattell(1905 – 1998)

Proposed 2 separate forms of “g”

Fluid intelligence: dynamic cognitive processes such as reasoning, seeing patterns & relationships, using info, and finding/applying new knowledge to decision making & problem solving

Crystallized intelligence: acquired knowledge & skills that are applied in variety of specific contexts

David Wechsler (1896 – 1981)

Defined intelligence as the ability to act purposefully, think rationally, & deal effectively with the environment

Current Theory Influenced heavily by cognitive view

Goes beyond vocab, logic, problem solving skills

Rather, intelligence is cognitive processes

Robert Sternberg(Tufts University)

Proposed triarchic theory 3 kinds of intelligence, each

relatively independent Practical intelligence: adapting to one’s environment

Analytical intelligence: logical reasoning/mastering problem solving

Creative intelligence: coping w/new problems/situations & being creative

Howard Gardner(Harvard University)

Daniel Goleman(Lecturer, author for New York

Times) Proposes emotional intelligence (EQ) as a type of social intelligence

Five domains: Self-awareness, managing emotions, motivating oneself, empathy, handling relationships

Measuring Intelligence

Assessing Intelligence Historical records indicate interest in mental testing methods date to ancient China

Francis Galton Fascinated with measuring

human traits (father of eugenics)

1884 London Expo – assessed intellectual strengths of 9,000+ via body measurements

Quest for simple intelligence measure failed

Alfred Binet & Theodore Simon

Develop 1st intelligence scale for French govt to identify students who require special education interventions in order to succeed (1904)

Distinct Features Test scores were to be used to id

children who needed help, not label them

Scores = estimate of current performance

Constructed the test empirically based on observations, not a theory

Emphasized training & opportunity could affect intellect

Binet-Simon Scores Expressed in terms of mental

age (MA): the avg age at which individuals achieve a particular score

Based on performance on 30 different problems that used abilities necessary for school

Compared MA to chronological age (CA)

The intelligence test improves

Refinements in scoring, expansion of content

Stanford-Binet Test (1916) Lewis Terman, Stanford U. Adapts Binet-Simon test for US Standardized administration & age level norms

Introduces notion of IQ

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

Mental Age (MA)IQ = X 100

Chronological Age (CA) Became very popular test Terman stated intelligence innate

(believed test measured something fundamental & unchanging about ppl)

Appeal of Intelligence Testing

US was experiencing lg wave of immigration

New laws required universal education

Military needed way to assess & classify recruits, esp. for WWI

Consequences of Intelligence Testing

Led to wide-spread belief that intelligence tests accurately differentiated ppl in terms of mental abilities

Tests reinforced prevailing prejudices Given to non-English speaking immigrants who routinely failed

Wechsler Scales Family of individual tests for

IQ Provided for adults (WAIS),

school-aged children (WISC), and pre-schoolers (WPPSI)

Measure many skills including vocab, verbal comprehension, arithmetic ability, similarities, digit span, block design

Wechsler Tests/Subtests

Question Is intelligence testing (as a standard for comparison) necessary for society? Why/why not?

The Exceptional Child Two categories:

Intellectually disabled Gifted

What challenges do these specific groups face in school?

Today’s IQ ScaleIQ Score Description (Range)

130 and above Very Superior120 – 129 Superior110 – 119 High Average90 – 109 Average80 – 89 Low Average70 – 79 Borderline Intellectually Disabled55 – 69 Mild Intellectually Disabled40 – 54 Moderate Intellectually Disabled25 – 39 Severely Intellectually Disabled

24 & below Profoundly Intellectually Disabled

The Intellectual Range Activity

What does it mean to be…? Intellectually disabled Of normal intelligence Intellectually gifted

Identify at least 5 of the most critical attributes of this category – you may use your device

The Intellectual Range Activity

Written response:1. What is most important to

know about each of these intellectual ranges?

2. What challenges, if any, do these groups face?

Testing Today Psychometricians continue to examine tests for biases & problems inherent in testing

Wide choice of testing instruments considered both valid & reliable in use today

Other Types of Tests Aptitude Achievement Diagnostic