Ch. 8 Intelligence and Mental Abililty Definition of Intelligence: A general term referring to the abilities involved in learning an adaptive behavior.

1.Formal Theories of Intelligence A. Early Theories Spearman Believed intelligence is general Thurstone Spatial ability, perceptual speed, numerical ability, verbal meaning, memory word fluency, reasoning Cattell Crystallized intelligence Fluid intelligence

B.Contemporary Theories Robert Sternberg - Triarchic Theory of Intelligence Componential intelligence Acquire new knowledge and solve problems Experiential intelligence Adapt creatively, insight Contextual intelligence Select contexts & shape environment

Howard Gardner Logical-mathematical intelligence Linguistic intelligence Spatial intelligence Musical intelligence Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence Interpersonal intelligence Intrapersonal intelligence Naturalist (newest one)

Goleman Emotional Intelligence Understanding yourself and others C. Comparing the Theories Spearman’s view of general intelligence is the simplest theory Thurstone and Cattell attempted to identify the structure of mental abilities in more detail Sternberg and Gardner both emphasized practical abilities

2.Intelligence Tests A.The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale First test of intelligence Used to determine mental age in children Movie B.The Wechsler Intelligence Scales Verbal abilities Performance abilities

The best-known Binet adaptation, created by Stanford University's L. M. Terman in 1916, is the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. Terman introduced the term intelligence quotient (IQ), which is a numerical value given to scores on an intelligence test (a score of 100 corresponds to average intelligence).

C.Group Tests SAT and GRE, for example D.Performance Tests and Culture-Fair Tests Some intelligence tests may discriminate against members of certain cultural or ethnic groups Performance test do not involve language and reduce cultural bias

3.What Makes a Good Test? A.Reliability Consistent, repeatability B.Validity True measure Content validity Is it measuring the skills and knowledge it is designed to measure? Criterion-related validity Relationship between test scores and independent measure

C.Criticisms of IQ Tests Test content and scores Measures ability to take test Use of IQ scores Permanent labeling IQ and success Does exist but may be self-fulfilling prophecy

4.What Determines Intelligence? A.Heredity Genetics B.Environment Social and biological environment C.The IQ Debate: A Continuing Controversy Most people agree that both heredity and environment affect IQ scores. The debate is about the relative proportions.

The correlation between the IQs of all identical twins is usually very high, indicating that their identical genetic inheritance is a more powerful determinant of intelligence than their experiences. But critics of this research make several strong points: (1) It is difficult to find identical twins who have been separated since birth, so that there are only a few such studies; (2) identical twins tend to be placed in households similar in socioeconomic background to those of their biological parents; and (3) even twins separated at birth would have had nearly identical prenatal experiences.

5. Mental Abilities and Human Diversity A.Gender Overall, women and men do not differ significantly in general intelligence Women may show slight advantage in mathematical computation skills Men a slight advantage in spatial ability

B.Culture Difference in academic performance between American and Asian students are found from first grade through high school in mathematics and reading May be related to cultural attitudes toward ability and effort

6.Extremes of Intelligence A.Mental Retardation Mild = IQ of Moderate = IQ of Severe = IQ Profound = IQ below Click here to view the Mental Retardation table Click here to view the Mental Retardation table B.Giftedness Top 2 percent

7.Creativity Creativity and intelligence Produce something new and unique that is socially valued Creativity Tests Open-ended questions are used

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