1. Chapter 11: Testing and Individual Differences AP Psychology Ms. Drew

2. Measuring Individual Differences Psychology relies heavily on testing individuals, it is part of the foundation for psychological analysis. To be effective, however, strict guidelines must be followed. Validity: Does the test actually measure what we say it does/what we want it to? Ex. Reading on a math test Face validity: Does the test look like it tests what it is supposed to test? Content validity: Each part of the test is representative of the larger body of knowledge.

3. Measuring Individual Differences Criterion Validity: The behavior (such as college grades) that a test (such as the SAT) is designed to predict Predictive Validity: The success with which a test predicts the behavior it is designed to predict.

4. Assessing Intelligence  As the range of data under consideration narrows, its predictive power diminishes Greater correlation over broad range of body weights 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Little corre- lation within restricted range Football linemen’s success Body weight in pounds 180 250 290

5. Measuring Individual Differences The second part of a credible test is reliability. Reliability: A test yields the same results over time Test-Retest or Split-Half Reliability Reliable, but not validNot reliable, not validReliable and valid

6. Creating Validity and Reliability The most efficient way to create validity and reliability is to use a standardized test. In the most basic sense, a standardized test means: The administration and scoring is the same for each test The results of the test can be used to draw a conclusion about the test takers in regard to the objectives of the test. Ex. AP test, S.A.T.

7. Judging Normal A “normal curve” is applied to test to determine establish “norms.” When a statistically significant sample of the population has been tested, strong conclusions can be drawn. A normal range for IQ scores is 70-130. Scores below 70 indicate mental retardation while scores above 130 are considered gifted.

8. Normal Distribution of IQ Scores

9. Degrees of Mental Retardation

10. Types of Tests There are two main types of tests: 1. Objective Tests: Tests that have one set answer, that can be scored easily by machine Ex. Multiple choice 1. Subjective Tests: Tests in which individuals are given ambiguous figures or an open ended question which requires some interpretation and analysis. Ex. FRQs Inter-rater reliability

11. Sample Subjective Test The Rorschach Inkblot Test is one of the most widely known, and inaccurate subjective tests. The following slides are real inkblots from the test that was, at one time, a widely used test. Today, it has lost much, if not all of its credibility in determining intelligence or mental illness.

18. What is intelligence? List 3 behaviors that are characteristic of distinctively intelligent people. List 3 behaviors that are characteristic of distinctively unintelligent people.

19. Take 11-2 Behavioral Checklist A good example of Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

20. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 1. People with a high IQ can perform simple tasks quicker. The nervous systems of those with low IQs are simply less efficient.

21. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 2. School attendance correlates with IQ. IQ decreases during summer vacation!

22. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 3. IQ is NOT influenced by birth order, but low-IQ parents tend to have more children Smart people tend to have small families, but small families don’t make people smart

23. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 4. IQ is related to breast-feeding. Breast-fed children appear to have an IQ of 3-8 points higher by age 3.

24. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 5. IQ varies by birthdate. Those young for their grade tend to have a higher IQ because they attended school more

25. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 6. IQ evens out with age. For example, if twin separated at birth are raised very differently, they may have different Iqs as kids, but their IQs will become more similar throughout adulthood, probably because they are away from the dictates of their adoptive parents.

26. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 7. Intelligence is plural, not singular. There are statistically independent mental abilities such as spatial, verbal, analytical, and practical intelligence. (Gardner and Stenberg)

27. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 8. IQ is correlated with head size. Correlation are quite small, however.

28. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 9. Intelligence scores are predictive of real-world outcomes. The greater a person’s intellectual ability, the higher the person’s weekly earnings.

29. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 10. Intelligence depends on context. Racetrack example.

30. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 11. IQ is going up. IQ has risen about 20 points with every generation The rise in IQ has been attributed to better nutrition, more schooling, and better- educated parents.

31. 12 Surprising Facts about Intelligence 12. IQ may be influenced by the school cafeteria menu.

32. Intelligence Testing A term that is used frequently, but often misunderstood is “intelligence.” What exactly is intelligence? Many people disagree about what exactly intelligence is, but most do agree that it is: Relative: defined in relation to the same abilities in a comparison group (usually age) Hypothetically constructed: it is unobservable, but instead inferred from behavior

33. Testing IQ IQ (intelligence quotient) became a popular way to classify people in the early 1900s when two French psychologists (Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon) developed a test to identify those students who were gifted, and those who needed extra help.

34. Binet-SimonTest The test had four important distinctions: Scores were interpreted at their current performance Used to identify students in need of help, not label them or categorize them Emphasized that training and opportunity could affect intelligence Was empirically constructed Scoring the test was done by calculating the mental age (MA) and the chronological age (CA). MA= The average age at which normal individuals achieve a particular score CA= The number of years since an individuals birth

35. Coming to America The idea of IQ testing became popular in America for three reasons: A huge increase in immigration New laws requiring universal education Military assessing new recruits for WWI It created an inexpensive and objective way to separate those could benefit from education or military leadership training and those who needed assistance.

36. Downside of IQ Testing Despite its utility, IQ testing had a big downside. Tests ended up reinforcing prevailing prejudices about race and gender. Ignored was the fact that environmental disadvantages limit the full development of people’s intellectual abilities. Same problem of NCLB!!!

37. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale When the Binet test was adopted by a Stanford professor, he changed the equation to make intelligence scores into non-decimal numbers. This now became known as the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). =IQ

38. Components of Intelligence Savant Syndrome: Individuals with remarkable, but rare talent, even though they are mentally deficient in other areas. Ex. Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man

39. Theories of Intelligence Spearman’s g Factor: Charles Spearman thought intelligence was a general factor behind all of our mental ability. The g factor – a common skill set that underlies all of our intelligent behavior People who score high in verbal intelligence will also score high in other areas

40. Theories of Intelligence Sternberg’s 3 Intelligences – A triarchic theory of multiple intelligences Analytical, Creative, Practical

41. Theories of Intelligence Howard Gardner believed that IQ scores measured only a limited range of human mental abilities. He argued we have seven separate mental abilities he calls the multiple intelligences. Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"): Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart") Spatial intelligence ("picture smart") Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart") Musical intelligence ("music smart") Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart") Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")

43. Study for the Vocab Quiz this Friday! Intelligence test score g Eugenics Savant syndrome Factor analysis Aptitude test Achievement test Stanford-Binet Criterion Content Validity Reliability

44. 11-5 The Autism-Spectrum Quotient Agree for #s: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30, 33, 35, 39, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46 score 1 point Disagree for #s: 1, 3, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50 score 1 point

45. 11-8 1. Emotion in the self: Verbal 2. Emotion in the self: Nonverbal 3. Emotions in others: Nonverbal 4. Emotions in others: Empathy 5. Regulation of emotion in self 6. Regulation of emotion in others 7. Flexible planning 8. Creative Thinking 9. Mood redirected attention 10. Motivating emotions

46. 11-9 The scale items are designed to assess: 1. the appraisal and expression of emotion in self and others 2. the regulation of emotion in self and others 3. the utilization of emotion in solving problems *because this is a self-report scale, it only tells us your self-perceived EI, not actual EI ability*

47. 11-9 Reverse the answers to question #s: 5, 28, 33 (1=5, 2=4, 3=3, 4=2, 5=1) Then add up all 33 items. Mean score for therapists = 135 Mean score for prisoners = 120 Mean score for females = 131 Mean score for males = 125