Intelligence
What is Intelligence?
 Our
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definition:
Contributes to society
Invents things
Have expert knowledge in their field
Success
Hard work
Natural ability- genetics
What is Intelligence?
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No agreed upon definition by psychologists
Why? Because intelligence can not be directly
observed.
Psychologists rely on the observation of behaviours
believed to be intelligent
A broad definition of intelligence states that
intelligence is a term that refers to mental abilities
such as thinking, reasoning, problem-solving and
adapting effectively to one’s environment
What is Intelligence?
 “The
application of cognitive skills and
knowledge to solve problems and obtain
ends that are valued by an individual or
culture while being able to adapt to and
perform better in the environment”
(Gregory, 2008)
What is Intelligence?
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Is it fair to focus a definition of intelligence on
cognitive skills alone though? Does emotion play
a role in intelligence?
So if we cannot define intelligence how do we
know it exists?
It is generally accepted that intelligence is a
thing that some people have and others do not.
It is also generally accepted that intelligence
does involve cognitive abilities (reasoning,
learning, memory, problem solving).
Intelligence: 4 major features
 The
ability to learn from experience
 The ability to obtain new knowledge
 The ability to solve problems
 The ability to adapt to the environment.
 Hopefully
by now you have a clearer idea
of what intelligence is. Would you change
your order of famous people based on
this knowledge?
Alfred Binet
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Developed the first intelligence
test with Ted Simon in the early
1900’s
The purpose of the test was to
identify children who struggled
at school and therefore needed
special assistance.
Binet developed his test under
the assumption that intelligence
was a general ability associated
with memory, reasoning,
vocabulary, attention and
perceptual judgement
David Wechsler
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Wechsler was not happy with the
way traditional definitions and tests
of intelligence relied heavily on
schooling
He believed intelligence was the
“global and aggregate capacity to
act purposefully, to think rationally,
and to deal effectively with the
environment”
He categorised abilities relevant to
intelligence into two types: verbal
abilities (which relied on language)
and performance abilities (which
relied less on verbal abilities)
These two categories are featured
in Wechsler’s intelligence tests
Wechsler
 Suggested
4 conditions which should be
present for a behaviour to be described as
intelligent:
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Awareness – intelligent behaviour is conscious,
controlled and intentional. You are aware of
what you are doing and why you are doing it
(NOT A REFLEX!)
Goal directed – intelligent behaviour has a
purpose. Performed directly to achieve a
particular goal.
Rational – intelligent behaviour is consistent and
appropriate for accomplishing a particular goal.
Worthwhile – intelligent behaviour is valued by
others. It is constructive & useful
Wechsler
 Believed
that definitions of intelligence
reflected whatever an individual, group, or
the whole society at a given moment views as
worthwhile, valuable and meaningful.
 Currently
Australia…
values literacy (reading & writing),
numeracy (maths) and a talent for
science and computers.
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If you’re capable in these areas, it is likely that
you will be seen as intelligent.
Intelligence Tests
 Intelligence
tests were developed before
the theories of intelligence
 So are they actually measuring modern
definitions of intelligence?
 Are they catering to cultural differences?
It is well accepted that what is considered
intelligent in one culture may not be
considered intelligent in another.
Measuring
Intelligence
Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale
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The first standardised intelligence test
Developed in Paris by Alfred Binet and Ted
Simon in 1905
Binet recognised that psychologists attempts to
measure intelligence as a physical entity were
inadequate (brain size, reactivity, etc)
He developed the test for children (ages 3 – 11)
to help identify normal children from those
requiring special help with schooling
He believed intelligence was expressed as
mental abilities and the items on his test asked
children to name object, copy shapes, count ,
memorise things and recall common knowledge.
Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale
 After
a revision in 1908 the Binet-Simon
intelligence scale became popular and
widely used. It formed the basis of many of
today's popular intelligence tests.
 The revision included an outline of what a
child at a certain age should be able to
answer. This lead to the idea of a mental
age. If a seven year old could only answer
the questions equivalent to a 5 year old their
mental age would be 5 and they were
behind in their mental development.
Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale
 Unfortunately
those who scored poorly
were labelled as idiots (lowest scores),
imbeciles, and morons (highest of the low
scores).
The Stanford-Binet Intelligence
Scale
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Developed in 1916 by Lewis Terman at Stanford
University based on the work of Binet
Provides participants with an IQ score and not
just their mental age
Applicable to adults
Specifically designed for the US
Modifications of the original still in extensive use
today.
Has since been revised 5 times. The most
current version is the SB5 (2003).
Wechsler’s Intelligence Scale
 Most
widely used today
 Developed by David Wechsler
 Some items similar to the Stanford-Binet
 Focuses, as Binet did, on cognitive abilities
 Made his test more applicable to adults than
Stanford-Binet
 Participant will have three scores: verbal score,
performance score and overall score (IQ)
 Test has sub-scales that measure different
abilities reflecting Wechsler’s belief that
intelligence is complex
Wechsler’s Intelligence Scale
 WAIS
(Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale for
16 up), WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for
Children for 5 – 15 year olds), WPPSI
(Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scale of
Intelligence 2 – 7)
 See pages 479 - 478 for the 4 subscales and
examples of the questions asked. Summarise
these on your sheet.
 Introduced the deviation quotient (not
dependent on age).
Online Intelligence Tests
10-15 minute test – Can only be completed once!
http://www.intelligencetest.com/
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The detailed IQ test: Based on speed of responses.
Only 12 minutes to respond!!
http://www.testcafe.com/iqtest/
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http://www.free-iqtest.net/iq.asp
Calculating
IQ
The Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
 The
Binet-Simon intelligence scale scored each
participant as a single number- their mental age.
 Stern and Terman (1900’s) developed the
intelligence quotient :
 Intelligence
Quotient (IQ) =
E.g. If you are 16 and you complete the test at the
same level an 18 would, your IQ would be 18/16
x 100 = 112.5
The Deviation Quotient (DQ)
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Replaced the IQ (although when the term IQ is
used today it mostly refers to a DQ)
A participant’s score is based on their
performance relative to an average score. This
average is usually 100. If you score above 100,
you are above average. If you score below 100,
you are below average.
There is however a standard deviation of 15.
This means that scores from 85 – 115 are still
considered in the average range.
Based on the assumption that intelligence is
constant in adulthood.
Bell Curve: The Normal Distribution
Variation of IQ Scores
DQ/IQ
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How did you go with your online intelligence
tests? They would have provided you with an
IQ score (as a DQ). You do not need to tell
anyone your scores.
Were your scores the same for all of the tests?
Did you tire if you did the tests all at the one
time?
Were you distracted by your environment?
Did the tests ask different types of questions?
DQ/IQ
 It
appears that the following factors will
affect an IQ or DQ score, not just the
“intelligence” of the participant
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The type of test
The mood of the participant
The time of day
The external environment- distractions etc
Motivation
Strength and Weaknesses of
Intelligence Testing
Advantages:
 Stanford-Binet and Wechsler both rigorously
tested and standardised (lots of people
completed the test to calculate the median)
 Both tests have been proven to be valid
(actually test what they are designed to test)
and reliable (when a person repeats the test,
they obtain the same score). Psychometrics
refers to intelligence testing that is scientifically
based and thus valid and reliable.
Strength and Weaknesses of
Intelligence Testing
Disadvantages:
 It is easy to misinterpret the results- does a single
number actually represent intelligence? Therefore
scores are not reported on many occasions.
 IQ scores have led to people being labelled
 Tests are biased towards western cultures
 Focus on intelligence testing has taken focus away
from the concept of intelligence
 Focus on cognitive abilities have meant that other
possible contributors to intelligence have been
overlooked
Influences on
Intelligence
Culture
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Traditional intelligence tests are biased towards
western cultures; that is when taken by a person
of another culture, they will score lower.
Culturally fair tests have been developed that do
not discriminate against those of other cultures.
These tests are less dependent on language,
include practice questions and can be administer
by a person of the same background.
View and discuss the culturally fair questions on
page 489 and complete the Koori Intelligence
Test on page 491. How did you go?
Genetics
 It
appears that genetics sets the
upper and lower limits of
intelligence with the environment
determining if these limits will be
reached
 Identical twins reared together
score very similar on IQ tests. Still
very similar but to a lesser extent are
identical twins reared apart.
The Environment
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As mentioned, it appears that the environment
determines whether a child will reach their full
intellectual potential.
Education increases intellectual development
and IQ scores; generally the longer a child
remains in school, the higher the IQ score
Parenting style, nutrition and healthcare as well
as exposure to computers and technology also
appear to influence intelligence.