[intro. to psy course note] ch 9 How is human intelligence defined and measured ? What are typical IQ tests like ? How do IQ scores relate to age, sex, and occupation ? What does IQ tell us about genius ? What causes intellectual disability ? How do heredity and environment affect intelligence ? Are there alternative views of intelligence ? How can emotional intelligence help me in my personal and professional life ?


How is human intelligence defined and measured ?

  • Crystallized Intelligence 結晶智力: ability to solve problems using "already acquired" knowledge
    • Measured by tests of vocabulary, arithmetic , and general information
    • Recurring, concrete challenges
  • Fluid Intelligence 流體智力: ability to solve novel problems involving perceptual speed or rapid insight (ability to see complex relationships and solve problems)
    • Measured by tests of block designs and spatial visualization
    • Novel, abstract problems
  • Aptitudes 性向
    • Aptitude: capacity for learning certain abilities
    • Special aptitude test: test that predicts whether you will succeed in a single area
    • Multiple aptitude test: test that measures two or more types of ability
    • General intelligence test: test that assesses a wide variety of mental abilities

What are typical IQ tests like ?

  • Reliability 信度 and validity 效度
    • Psychometric test: any measurement of a person’s mental functions
    • Reliability: a reliable psychometric test must give approximately the "same score" each time a person takes it
    • Validity: a valid psychometric test should "measure what it claims to measure"
  • Objective testing
    • Objective test 客觀的測驗: a test (IQ or otherwise) is objective if it gives the same score when corrected by different people
    • Test standardization 標準化: first, it means standard procedures are used in giving the test and, second, individual test scores are compared to norms常模, or average scores made by a large group of people like those for whom the test was designed
  • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
  • SB5 five cognitive factors
    • Fluid reasoning: ability to reason in "unfamiliar situation"
    • Knowledge: knowledge about a wide range of topics
    • Quantitative reasoning: ability to solve problems "involving numbers"
    • Visual-spatial processing
    • Working memory
  • Wechsler tests
    • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test, 4th Edition (WAIS-IV)
    • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th Edition (WISC-IV)
    • Like the SB5 the Wechsler tests yield
      • A single overall intelligence score
      • A separate score for performance (nonverbal) intelligence
      • A separate score for verbal (language-or symbol-oriented) intelligence.
  • Group tests
    • Individual intelligence test: designed to be given to a single person by a trained specialist (e.g., SB5 and the Wechsler tests)
    • Group intelligence tests can be given to a large group of people with minimal supervision (e.g., Army Alpha, SAT Reasoning Test, American College Test, (ACT), College Qualification Test (CQT))

How do IQ scores relate to age, sex, and occupation ?

  • Mental age 心智年齡: average intellectual performance
  • Chronological age 實歲: person’s age in years
  • (Ratio)IQ=MA/CA * 100(比例)智商
  • Deviation IQ 差異智商: scores based on a person’s relative standing in his or her age group; how far above or below average a person’s score is, relative to other scores
  • Variations in intelligence
    • Normal (bell-shaped) curve: distribution of observed IQ scores; most scores fall close to the average, and very few are found at the extremes
    • IQ and age: stable after middle childhood
    • IQ and sex: Men and women do not appear to differ in overall intelligence
    • IQ and achievement: a strong correlation (about .50 exists between IQ and school grades
  • Gifted children
    • Have a high IQ (usually above 130) or special talents or abilities (play Mozart at age 5)
    • Gifted or not, successful people are persistent and motivated to learn

What does IQ tell us about genius ?

What causes intellectual disability ?

How do heredity and environment affect intelligence ?

Are there alternative views of intelligence ?

How can emotional intelligence help me in my personal and professional life ?