Chapter 9 Intelligence and Creativity

Chapter 9 – Intelligence and Creativity What is intelligence? Adaptive thinking or behavior (Piaget) Ability to think abstractly, solve problems? (Sternberg) Genetics x Environment (interaction) RAISED TOGETHER RAISED APART IDENTICAL TWINS .86 .72 FRATERNAL .60 .52

The Psychometric Approach A trait – can be identified, measured A single attribute? Spearman: “g” = general; “s” = special Many attributes? Thurstone: 7 primary mental abilities Spatial ability, perceptual speed, numeric reasoning, verbal meaning, word fluency, memory, inductive reasoning IQ tests and IQ score

Theories and Tests of Intelligence IQ tests Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests attempt to measure an individual’s probable performance in school and similar settings. Binet (1857-1911) and Simon created 1st IQ ← test in 1905

Theories and Tests of Intelligence The Stanford-Binet test Given individually IQ = MA/CA x 100 MA – mental age CA – chronological age

Normal Distribution Normal Distribution

Cattell and Horn Fluid intelligence: decreases in older adults Use mind to solve novel problems Skills: reasoning, seeing relationships, inferences, Free of cultural influences Crystallized intelligence: increases with age Knowledge from experiences (school) Gen. Info., vocabulary, etc.

Other Theories Gardner’s Theory/multiple intelligences Eight distinct intelligences not measured with IQ tests 1) Linguistic 2) Logical-mathematical 3) Musical 4) Spatial 5) Bodily-kinesthetic 6) Interpersonal 7) Intrapersonal 8) Naturalist

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Other kinds of Intelligence Savant Syndrome Extraordinary talent in one area Otherwise mentally retarded Musical, artistic, calculation abilities

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory Contextual Component Adapting to the environment “Street smarts,” age group, culture, etc., Experiential Component: Response to novelty Componential Component Information processing Efficiency of strategies

The Wechsler Scales Overall IQ and also verbal and performance IQs. (WPPSI-III) Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised. Ages 2 ½ to 7 years, 3 months (WISC-IV) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Ages 6 to 16 years, 11 months (WAIS-III) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Ages 16-89 3 IQ scores derived Verbal IQ Performance IQ Full-scale IQ

WISC_IV Word Reasoning—measures reasoning with verbal material; child identifies underlying concept given successive clues. Matrix Reasoning—measures fluid reasoning a (highly reliable subtest on WAIS® –III and WPPSI™–III); child is presented with a partially filled grid and asked to select the item that properly completes the matrix. Picture Concepts—measures fluid reasoning, perceptual organization, and categorization (requires categorical reasoning without a verbal response); from each of two or three rows of objects, child selects objects that go together based on an underlying concept. Letter-Number Sequencing—measures working memory (adapted from WAIS–III); child is presented a mixed series of numbers and letters and repeats them numbers first (in numerical order), then letters (in alphabetical order). Cancellation—measures processing speed using random and structured animal target forms (foils are common non-animal objects).

Raven’s Progressive Matrices Psychologists created “culture-reduced” tests without language. It tests abstract reasoning ability (non-verbal intelligence or performance IQ)

The Infant Developmental Quotients (DQ) Bayley Scales: Ages 2-30 months Correlations with Child IQ – low to 0 Useful for diagnostic purposes Best predictors From measures of information processing E.g., attention, speed of habituation, preference for novelty

The Child DQ does not predict later IQ IQ at age 4 predicts later IQ IQ gains Parents foster achievement Neither strict nor lax parenting IQ drops: Poverty Cumulative deficit hypothesis

The Adolescent Brain growth spurt at age 11/12 (puberty) Formal operational thinking Improved memory and processing skills Stability of IQ evident IQ score a good predictor of school achievement

The Adult Strong relationships between IQ and occupational prestige IQ and job performance IQ and good health/longevity IQ decline by age 80 (longitudinal studies) C-S studies show cohort effects Fluid IQ peaks at about age 24 Crystallized (verbal) unchanged until 80’s

Predictors of Gains and Decline Decline: Poor health, unstimulating lifestyle Gain (or maintain) Above average SES Intact marriages Intellectually capable spouses Active lifestyles “Use it or lose it!”

Wisdom Expert pragmatic knowledge Rich procedural knowledge: strategies esp. for handling conflict Lifespan contextual knowledge Recognition and management of uncertainty Age does not predict wisdom Intelligence, personality & cognitive style

Factors that Influence IQ Genes: accounts for half (Twin studies) Home environment; higher SES helps Never underestimate the power of the environment Parental involvement & stimulation Firstborn and smaller family are advantages Racial and ethnic differences Different ability patterns Culture bias in IQ test

Mental Retardation Below-average intellectual functioning: IQ 75 Limited adaptive behavior: before age 18 Self-care and social skills Below age-appropriate expectations Causes Organic: e.g., Down syndrome Cultural-familial: genes & environment

Giftedness High IQ Special abilities: math, arts, leadership Renzuli: combination high IQ, creativity, and task commitment Can be identified by 18 months Terman’s “Termites” Remarkable into adulthood Well adjusted

Creativity Ability to produce novel responses Divergent thinking: a variety of solutions Convergent thinking Focusing on best solution Measured by IQ test Ideational fluency

Creativity in Childhood and Adolescence Freedom, originality, humor, violence, playfulness More fantasy and pretend play More open to new experience Little genetic influence:related to home Value nonconformity and independence Encouragement of curiosity and playfulness Freedom to explore independently

Creative Achievement in Adulthood Increases in the 20’s, 30’s, and early 40’s Then declines Peak times vary by fields Humanities scholars peak in 60’s Artists peak in 30’s and 40’s Scientists peak from 40’s to 70’s Enthusiasm and experience required.