Intelligence and Mental Ability

What is intelligence

a. Cognitive abilities that promote learning and adaptive behavior.

b. mental abilities cannot be studied directly

c. This is why intelligence tests were created.

Intelligence tests A. designed to measure a person's general

mental abilities.B. Problem: No one can agree on a single

definition of intelligence.C. Non experts include social competence in

their concepts of intelligence, whereas experts put more emphasis on motivation.

Theories of Intelligence1. Binet-Simon Scale-verbal reasoning,

abstract/visual reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and short-term memory.

2. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III)-measures both verbal and performance abilities

3. Group Tests (SAT)

What Makes a Good Test

A. Reliability-the ability of a test to produce consistent and stable scores.

B. Validity-is the ability of a test to measure what it has been designed to measure.

CriticismA. Critics point out that most intelligence tests are

concerned with only a narrow set of skills .

B. content and administration of IQ tests are shaped by the values of Western middle-class society.

C. results are often used to label some students as slow learners.

D. do not offer information on motivation, emotion, attitudes, and other similar factors that may have a strong bearing on a person's success in school and in life.

MENTAL ABILITIES

GenderA. women and men do not differ

significantly in general intelligence as measured by scores on standardized tests.

Academic Performance: The Influence of CultureA. Big difference in American and Asian

students in math and readingB. Why?

(1) the educational curricula

(2) American students attribute academic success to ability, and Asian students, who believe success comes more from individual effort and hard work.

What Determines Intelligence?

A.HeredityB.Environment

EXTREMES OF INTELLIGENCE

Mental retardation and GiftednessMental Retardation- condition of

significantly subaverage intelligence combined with deficiencies in adaptive behavior.

Giftedness-superior IQ combined with demonstrated or potential ability in academic aptitude, creativity, leadership, and fine arts.