Brief History of Intelligence Testing Mr. Koch AP Psychology Forest Lake High School

What is Intelligence? Mental quality involving skill at information processing, learning from experience, problem solving, and adapting to new or changing environments

Alfred Binet 1904 – French govt. appoints to committee to identify, study and provide special ed. programs for children struggling in school Designed test to look for reasoning, thinking, and problem solving – assumed depended on intelligence Also assumed abilities increase with age – categorized items by age that typical child could respond correctly “Mental Age” vs. “Chronological Age” When equal, considered “regular” intelligence Not intended to be applied outside of original purpose

Lewis Terman “Stanford-Binet” test Stanford psychologist Terman adapted and revised Binet’s test Added items for adults and revised scoring procedure Score of 100 would be considered “average” Viewed intelligence as fixed, inherited entity (Binet would have disagreed with this idea) This and tests used for military recruits (Army Alpha) were used to reinforce prejudice against certain people (i.e. – immigrants from south & eastern Europe) (Mental Age) (Chronological Age) X 100 = IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

David Wechsler Late 1930s Developed new tests to improve on old tests in 3 key ways: Included both verbal and nonverbal subtests Success depended less on having formal schooling Each subtest scored separately Special versions developed for adults (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – WAIS) and children (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – WISC)

Intelligence Tests Today Updated versions of Stanford-Binet and Wechsler tests are most commonly used intelligence tests today IQ score no longer determined by dividing mental age by chronological age Now compare total score to others at age level Average score = 100 Other scores based on amount of deviation from average “normal curve” Score reflects relative standing within population of your age