1. Extremes and environmental influences
Intelligence
Extremes and environmental influences

2. Extremes of Intelligence

5. Causes of Retardation Many times cause is unknown Organic retardation
results from genetic problems or brain damage
Chromosomal factors: Down’s syndrome
Cultural-familial retardation
results from a greatly impoverished environment.
Injury before, during, after birth
Poisonous substances: lead, carbon monoxide
Malnutrition
Disease: Measles
Theory about Autism: vaccinations around 18 months

6. Superior Intelligence
Moderately gifted
usually defined by an IQ score between 130 and 150
Profoundly gifted
usually defined by an IQ score around 180 or above
Prodigies
Display a mastery in a particular area at a young age, “normal” in other areas
Rarely excel in more than one area
Galileo math  invented the pendulum at age 17
Mozart played piano at 3, composed at 4
Savants
Gifted in one area but mentally challenged in all others

7. Characteristics of the Gifted
Lewis Terman’s Study of the Gifted
Studied 1528 superior individuals in California
Flaw??
Findings:
Read before enter school
¾ in 8th grade score on achievement tests equal to 12th graders
Leaders in school
Not as self-centered as other students
Interested in the problems of society
Develop early career plans

8. Intelligence: Nature or Nurture?
Twin studies
Identical & fraternal
Twins reared apart
Adoption studies
More like biological parents or adoptive parents?

9. Interaction: nature & nurture
Heritability
number that indicates the amount or proportion of some ability, characteristic, or trait that can be attributed to genetic factors (nature)
Reaction range
indicates the extent to which traits, abilities, or IQ scores may increase or decrease as a result of interaction with environmental factors

11. 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

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

13. Test-takers’ expectations
Stereotype threat - a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype.
Blacks score higher when tested by blacks than when tested by whites
Women score better in math when told women score well on this test