Intelligence What makes us intelligent Intelligence The ability

Intelligence What makes us intelligent?

Intelligence The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations. Is socially constructed thus… Can be culturally specific. According to this definition, are both Einstein and Ruth intelligent?

Is intelligence one thing or several different abilities? To find out scientists use FACTOR ANALYSIS: A statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items on a test. Charles Spearman used FA to discovery his g or (general intelligence). He saw using FA that doing well in one area of a test predicted that you will do well in another.

Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner disagreed with Spearman’s g and instead came up with the concept of multiple intelligences. He came up with the idea by studying savants (a condition where a person has limited mental ability but is exceptional in one area).

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Visual/Spatial Verbal/Linguistic Logical/Mathematical Bodily/Kinesthetic Musical/Rhythmic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Learn More about Gardner

Sternberg’s Three Aspects of Intelligence Gardner Simplified Analytical (academic problem solving). Creative (generating novel ideas) Practical (required for everyday tasks where multiple solutions exist).

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) First called social intelligence. The ability to perceive, express, understand, and regulate emotions. Some studies show EQ to be a greater predictor future success than IQ

Brain Size and Intelligence Is there a link? Small +. 15 correlation between head size and intelligence scores (relative to body size). Using an MRI we found +. 44 correlation with brain size and IQ score.

Brain Function and Intelligence Higher performing brain use- less active than lower performing brains (use less glucose). Neurological speed is also a bit quicker.

How do we Assess Intelligence? Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon set out to figure out a concept called a mental age (what a person of a particular age should know). They discovered that by discovering someone’s mental age they can predict future performance. Hoped they could use test to help children, not label them.

Terman and his IQ Test A 8 year old has a mental age of 10, what is her IQ? A 12 year old has the mental age of 9, what is his IQ? Used Binet’s research, constructed modern day IQ test called the Stanford-Binet Test.

Problems with the IQ Formula It does not really work well on adults, why? If a 60 year old man does as well as an average 30 year old then his IQ would be 50!!!!!! That makes no sense!!!!!

Modern Tests of Mental Abilities Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) consists of 11 subtests and cues us in to strengths by using…. . Factor Analysis

Aptitude v. Achievement Tests Aptitude A test designed to predict a person’s future performance. The ability for that person to learn. Achievement A test designed to assess what a person has learned.

Emotional Intelligence: Components Perceive emotion-Recognize emotions in faces, music and stories Understand emotion - Predict emotions, how they change and blend Manage emotion - Express emotions in different situations Use emotion - Utilize emotions to adapt or be creative

Emotional Intelligence: Criticism Gardner and others criticize the idea of emotional intelligence and question whether we stretch this idea of intelligence too far when we apply it to our emotions

How do we construct Intelligence tests? Tests must be: Standardized Reliable Valid

Standardization The test must be pre-tested to a representative sample of people and Form a normal distribution or bell curve

Reliability 1. Split-half Reliability: Dividing the test into two equal halves and assessing how consistent the scores are. 2. Test-Retest Reliability: Using the same test on two occasions to measure consistency.

Validity The extent to which a test measures what it is supposed to measure. Content Validity does the test sample a behavior of interest Predictive Validity does the test predict future behavior.

Does Intelligence Change Over Time? By age 3, a child’s IQ can predict adolescent IQ scores. Depends on the type of intelligence, crystallized or fluid.

Extremes of Intelligence

Extremes of Intelligence A valid intelligence test divides two groups of people into two extremes: the mentally retarded (IQ 70) and individuals with high intelligence (IQ 135). These two groups are significantly different. 23

Group Differences in Intelligence Test Scores The Bell curve is different for Whites v. Black. Math scores are different across genders and the highest scores are for Asian males. Why? Nature or Nurture

Test Bias? Tests do discriminate. But some argue that their sole purpose is to discriminate. We have to look at the type of discrimination.

Flynn Effect In the past 60 years, intelligence scores have risen steadily by an average of 27 points. This phenomenon is known as the Flynn effect. 26

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence No other topic in psychology is so passionately followed as the one that asks the question, “Is intelligence due to genetics or environment? ” 27

Genetic Influences Studies of twins, family members, and adopted children together support the idea that there is a significant genetic contribution to intelligence. 28

Adoption Studies Adopted children show a marginal correlation in verbal ability to their adopted parents. 29

Heritability The variation in intelligence test scores attributable to genetics. We credit heredity with 50% of the variation in intelligence. It pertains only to why people differ from one another, not to the individual. 30

Environmental Influences Studies of twins and adopted children also show the following: 1. Fraternal twins raised together tend to show similarity in intelligence scores. 2. Identical twins raised apart show slightly less similarity in their intelligence scores. 31

Early Intervention Effects Early neglect from caregivers leads children to develop a lack of personal control over the environment, and it impoverishes their intelligence. Romanian orphans with minimal 32 human interaction are delayed in their development.

Schooling Effects To increase readiness for schoolwork, projects like Head Start facilitate leaning. Schooling is an experience that pays dividends, which is reflected in intelligence scores. Increased schooling correlates with higher intelligence scores. 33