Intelligence

Definitions

• Intelligence: The abilities to learn from experience, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with the environment.

• Achievement: Knowledge or skills gained from experience– Intelligence is not achievement – intelligence

makes achievement possible

Theories of intelligenceWhat makes up intelligence?

• 2 factor theory (Charles Spearman):– All behaviors we consider to be intelligent

have a common factor = G– G = general intelligence– S = specific factors

• Multiple intelligence theories:– Louis Thurstone: 9 separate factors make up

intelligence

Theories of intelligence

• Multiple intelligence theories cont.• Thurstone’s factors of intelligence:

1. Ability to picture shapes & spatial relationships2. Ability to understand perceptual information rapidly & to see

the similarities & differences between stimuli3. Ability to calculate & recall numbers4. Knowledge of meanings of words5. Ability to recall information (memory)6. Ability to think of words quickly7. Deductive reasoning8. Inductive reasoning9. People may be good in one – bad in another but the all

together make-up intelligence

Theories of intelligence

• Multiple intelligence theories cont.• Howard Gardner’s 7 kinds of intelligence:

1. Linguistic intelligence

2. Logical mathematical intelligence

3. Visual – spatial “

4. Body – kinesthetic “

5. Musical – rhythmic “6. Interpersonal “ sensitivity to others’ feelings

7. Intrapersonal “ sensitivity to one’s inner feelings

Theories of intelligence

• Multiple intelligence theories cont.• Triarchic model of intelligence (Sternberg)

– Intelligence consists of only three types of ability:

1. Analytic: ability to take a problem apart and find a solution

2. Creative: ability to come up with a new or unique solution for a problem

3. Practical: ability to apply a solution in everyday situations1. Aristotle’s productive intelligence

Measurement of intelligence

• Achievement vs. Aptitude– Achievement: shows or measures current

knowledge & skills– Aptitude: designed to predict your ability to

learn new skills– What is intelligence? Achievement, aptitude,

or both?

General IQ Tests

• Sir Francis Galton (cousin of Charles Darwin)– Created first tests to measure IQ

• Theory: certain families were biologically superior – stronger – smarter – more sensitive

(head size, grip strength)

General IQ Tests

• Alfred Binet (1905) – 1st modern intelligence test– Binet assumed intelligence increased with

age.– Questions were for different ages– Age 7 and age 18 were good indicators

• MA = mental age – shows the intellectual level of a child

• CA = chronological age – your age in years

Alfred Binet• 1916: Binet’s test is brought to the U.S. and revised by Louis

Termen at Stanford (Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale)• IQ Scale

– Above 139 very superior 1%– 120-139 superior 11%– 110-119 high avg 18%– 90-109 average 46%– 80-89 low avg. 15%– 70-79 borderline retardation (mild) 6%– 50-70 EMH (moderate)– 30-49 TMH (severe)– Below 30 totally dependent (profound)

• When Termen began his studies the avg. IQ of 1500 schoolchildren was 150!

Wechsler

• 14 Sub Tests – 7 verbal and 7 performance• Verbal:

– Information, Comprehension, Arithmetic, Similarities, Vocabulary, Digit Span, and Letter-Number Sequencing

• Performance:– Digit Symbol-Coding, Picture Completion, Block

Design, Matrix Reasoning, Picture Arrangement, Symbol Search, and Object Assembly

What Influences Intelligence

1. Genetics: (heredity) Studies on twins since they have the same genetic make-up their test scores should be identical.

• Most studies suggest that heritability of intelligence is between 40-60%

2. Environment: Adoptee studies – most studies show that IQ scores of adopted children are more like their biological parents. However, studies have also shown that IQ scores are more alike for pairs who were reared together than for pairs reared apart. This suggests environment may play a role

• Home environment• Parenting style• Schooling• Diet/Nutrition

Problems with intelligence tests

• Environment

• Income

• Motivation

• Diet

• Culturally biased