Cognitive Abilities
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Outline
•
•
•
•
Theory of Intelligence
Intelligence Testing
Influences on Intelligence
General Issues in Intelligence
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Hierarchical Theory of Intelligence
General
Intelligence
Fluid
Intelligence
Inductive
Reasoning
Quantitative
Reasoning
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
General
Memory
Crystallized
Intelligence
Sequential
Reasoning
Reading
Comprehension
Memory
Span
Spelling
Ability
Phonetic
Coding
Etc.
Learning
Ability
Free
Recall
Memory
Hierarchical Theory of Intelligence
• Fluid Intelligence: Reason abstractly on novel
problems
– Deductive Reasoning
– Inductive Reasoning
– Quantitative Reasoning
• Crystallized Intelligence: Accumulation of
knowledge and skill in familiar domains
– Vocabulary
– Information about culture
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Implications
• Students who tend to do well in one class tend
to do well in other classes
• We need to teach both reasoning skills and
crystallized knowledge in all domains
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Intelligence Testing
• Alfred Binet
– Studied animal magnetism
– Scientific embarrassment influenced strict empiricism
– Created first intelligence test to identify children who would not
profit from instruction
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Intelligence Testing
Mental Age
• Intelligence Quotient:
Mental Age
Chronological Age
x100
25
20
15
10
5
0
125
100
75
0
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
5
10
Chronological Age
15
20
Intelligence Testing
• Deviation IQ: Statistical comparison to others in
group

Purpose: Compare child’s performance to
others in similar circumstances
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Influences on Intelligence
• Genetics
• Environment
– Children: Genetics influences
about ½ of differences in
intelligence
– Adults: Genetics tends to
account for more differences
 Biology
 Nutrition
 Lead
 Parental alcohol
consumption
 Perinatal Factors
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
–
–
–
–
Cultural experiences
Family environment
Schooling
Occupation
Genetics vs. Environment
Genetics
50%
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Environment
50%
Implications
• The environment has substantial influence
over intelligence, so create a classroom
environment that fosters high intelligence
– Reading
– Ask students to solve new problems
– Ask students deep questions
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
General Issues for Intelligence
•
•
•
•
•
Ubiquitous: Wide-spread
Multivariate: Multiple components
Increases with age and experience
The Flynn Effect
Is education’s most important:
– Raw material
– Product
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Importance of Intelligence
• Correlates with:
– School performance
– Years of education
• Directionality?
– Social status and income
• Third variable?
– Job Performance
– Juvenile Crime (Negative)
• Directionality?
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Reading Vocabulary Across Grades
400
.
350
Vocabulary
300
99th %-tile
80th %-tile
50th %-tile
20th %-tile
1st %-tile
250
200
150
100
K
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
1
2
3
4
5
6 7
Grade
8
9 10 11 12
Flynn Effect:
Average IQ over time
.
105
IQ on the 1995 Scale
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
1900
1920
1940
1960
Year
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
1980
2000
Revision
• Explain the hierarchical theory of intelligence,
including the difference between fluid and
crystallized intelligence.
• Describe the three major factors that influence
intelligence.
• What is the difference between the Intelligence
Quotient and the Deviation IQ?
• Explain why studying cognitive abilities is
important for educators (hint: General Issues for
Intelligence)
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos