Lecture Intelligence
Lecture Intelligence
Bela Nawaz
The ability to learn
from experience, solve
problems, and use
knowledge to adapt to
new situations.
Is socially
constructed thus
Can be culturally
specific.
According to this
definition, are both
Einstein and Ruth
intelligent?
Binet
the tendency to take and maintain a definite
direction; the capacity to make adaptations for
the purpose of attaining a desired end, and the
power of autocriticism
Gardner
The ability to resolve genuine problems or
difficulties as they are encountered
Factor Models: Two or more factors
thought to be more or less at the
same level
Hierarchical Models: Different
levels of factors with some factors
being sub-domains of other factors
Information Processing Models:
Less on the organization and more on
how the brain processes information
First proposed by Galton Galton (1822-1911) - view of
intelligence is that it is a single general factor that is the
basis
G factor
1. Standardization
2. Reliability
3. Validity
37
Standardized tests establish a normal distribution
of scores on a tested population in a bell-shaped
pattern called the normal curve.
38
A test is reliable when it yields consistent results. To
establish reliability researchers establish different
procedures:
39
Reliability of a test does not ensure validity. Validity
of a test refers to what the test is supposed to
measure or predict.
40
A valid intelligence test divides two groups of
people into two extremes: the mentally retarded (IQ
70) and individuals with high intelligence (IQ 135).
These two groups are significantly different.
41
Contrary to popular belief, people with high
intelligence test scores tend to be healthy, well
adjusted, and unusually successful academically.
42
Mentally retarded individuals required constant
supervision a few decades ago, but with a
supportive family environment and special
education they can now care for themselves.
43
Terman & Oden (1959) followed high IQ children
(IQ > 140) for 40 years
The gifted children were heavier at birth; walked, talked,
and matured earlier; their general health was better; they
earned more degrees and more money
However, none went on to become super-successful
Einstein-types
Some suggested the positive findings might be
due to selection bias, since the initial selection was
based on teacher ratings
Esquire magazine's "the smartest people in
America"
Marilyn Von Savant and the 'Let's Make A Deal'
puzzle
The literature on IQ heritability is huge
and controversial
Heritability in IQ has been estimated
between 0.50 and 0.72 (= 50% - 72% of
variability is due to genes)
The best evidence comes from twin
studies (ie. Bouchard, 1984)
IQ of identical twins reared apart (even in very
different circumstances) correlate almost as high as
those of identical twins reared together
Honzik (1957) showed almost no correlation
between IQ of adopted children and IQ of their
adoptive parents
However, children reared under conditions of
little human contact can show huge improvements
(30-50 IQ points) after being placed in normal
environments
Jensen (1977) tested the hypothesis of
cumulative effects of environmental disadvantage,
hypothesizing that older deprived children should
do worse on IQ tests than their younger siblings
He found some support for this hypothesis- about 1 point per year for
ten years between 5 and 16 years of age, estimated to be higher if
earlier years were included
Disadvantaged adoptees into advantaged homes often out-perform
their pre-adoptive peers (Scarr & Weinberg, 1983)
"psychologists should stop saying that IQ
tests measure intelligence. They should say
that IQ tests measure abstract problem-
solving ability (APSA), a term that accurately
conveys our ignorance. We know that people
solve problems on IQ tests; we suspect that
those problems are so detached, or so
abstracted from reality, that the ability to solve
them can diverge over time from the real-
world problem solving ability called
intelligence; thus far we now little else."
Flynn, J.R. (1987). Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What
IQ tests really measure, Psychological Bulletin, 101,88,
171-191.