Intelligence test based on the measure developed by Binet and Simon adapted by Lewis Terman of Stanford University - norms help to define whether we're under or above the line

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

Systematic means of quantifying differences among people in their intelligence

How is IQ measured?

IQ= (mental age)/(chronological age) ∙100

Mental age

Age corresponding to the average individual's performance on an intelligence test

Deviation IQ

Expression of a person's IQ relative to his or her same-aged peers, helps because it means kids after 16 don't have a decreasing IQ

Eugenics

Movement in the early 20th century to improve a population's genetic stock by encouraging those with good genes to reproduce, preventing those with bad genes from reproducing or both

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Most widely used intelligence test for adults today, consisting of 15 subtests to assess different types of mental abilities

What are the 5 major scores?

1. overall IQ (fluid) 2. verbal comprehension (crystallised intelligence) 3. perceptual reasoning (fluid) 4. working memory (fluid) 5. processing speed (fluid)

Commonly used childhood IQ tests

- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) - Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)

Culture fair IQ tests

Abstract reasoning measure that does not depend on language and is often believed to be less influenced by cultural factors than other IQ tests are

Criticism on culture fair IQ test

IQ tests rely too much on language

Is IQ forever?

They almost never remain the same

Stability of IQ in adulthood

Reasonably stable

Stability of IQ in infancy and childhood

- not stable (except for really low numbers --> mental retardation) - habituation speed seems to indicate intelligence

Assortative mating

The tendency of individuals with similar genes to have children

Mental retardation

Condition characterised by an onset prior to adulthood, an IQ below 70 and an inability to engage in adequate daily functioning

Gullibility

The susceptibility to being duped by others

What are the four gradations?

Mild, moderate, severe, and profound

Most common forms of mental retardation?

- fragile X syndrome - Down syndrome (extra pair of 21 chromosomes)

Mosaics

Only some of the cells have an extra 21 chromosomes, relatively normal IQ

Selective placement

Adoption agencies frequently place children in homes similar to the biological parents

Does schooling make us smarter?

Lines of evidence suggest that schooling exerts a causal influence on IQ

Flynn effect

Finding that average IQ scores have been rising at a rate of approximately three points per decade

Four explanations to rising rate of IQ per decade?

1. increased test sophistication 2. increased complexity of the modern world 3. better nutrition 4. changes at home and at school

Sex differences in specific mental abilities

- women are better at verbal tasks, arithmetic calculations, and empathy - men are better at spatial tasks, geography, mathematic reasoning

Potential causes of sex differences?

Genes and hormones, and environmental

Within-group heritability

Extent to which the variability of a trait within a group is genetically influenced

Between-group heritability

Extent to which differences in a trait between groups is genetically influenced

Test bias

Tendency of a test to predict outcomes better in one group than another

Stereotype threat

Fear that we may confirm a negative group stereotype

Divergent thinking

Capacity to generate many different solutions to a problem

Convergent thinking

Capacity to generate the single best solution to a problem

Emotional intelligence (EQ)

Ability to understand our own emotions and those of others and to apply this information to our daily lives

Wisdom

Application of intelligence toward a common good

Wise people balance 3 competing interests

1. concerns about oneself (self-interest) 2. concerns about others 3. concerns about the broader society