Chapter 9

Intelligence

Warm up 4/15/15

Imagine that you are members of a committee organized to select the World’s Most Intelligent Person.

Your job is to create a profile of a person that can be used as a guideline in the final selection process.

Profiles should include traits, abilities, and accomplishments commonly associated with highly intelligent people.

What is Intelligence?

Long answer short, it depends on who you ask

Intelligence Versus Achievement

Achievement = Things you know and can do

EX – Knowledge, Skills, etc…that you have

gained from experience Intelligence = Gives us the ability to learn

and to achieve

• Ability to learn from experience, to think

rationally, and to deal with others effectively

Spearman’s Two-Factor Theory

All intelligent behaviors have 2 factors

Factor #1 = g or general intelligence

• This is our ability to solve problems

Factor #2 = s or specific intelligence

• This involves the things that we are

REALLY good at

Get into groups of 2-3

Each group will be given a card to define one aspect of Thurstone’s or Gardner’s theories of multiple intelligences or abilities.

Be ready to teach the class your information.

Thurstone’s Theory of Primary Mental Abilities

He says there are EIGHT separate mental factors (Primary Mental Abilities) that make up intelligence and that we can be high in some and low in others

1. Visual/Spatial 5. Memory

2. Perceptual Speed 6. Word Fluency

3. Numeric Ability 7. Deductive Reas.

4. Verbal Meaning 8. Inductive Reas.

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

Several kinds of intelligences within us 1. Linguistic 5. Musical-Rhytmic 2. Logical-Mathematical 6. Interpersonal 3. Visual-Spatial 7. Intrapersonal 4. Bodily Kinesthetic Each intelligence is based on different areas of the

brain CRITICISM is that 4 and 5 are talents, not intelligences

Difference between Thurstone and Gardner

Thurstone – 8 together adds up to ONE

intelligence Gardner – All intelligences are

INDEPENDENT of one another

Guided Practice

Create a three column chart in your notes. Label the columns Theories, Strengths, and Weaknesses.

In the first column, list the various theories of intelligence discussed.

Independent Practice

Write a letter of support to the psychologist whose theory they believe best explains intelligence.

In your letters, you should tell the theorist why this particular theory makes a more convincing case than the other theories of intelligence.

Support your reasoning with examples.

End

4/16/15

Having taken many standardized test over the years do you feel any of the test questions had a bias?

(cultural, religious, language, etc.)

Explain

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

Different Intelligences all working together

1. Analytic – Ability to solve problems

2. Creative – Ability to deal with new

situations

3. Practical – Ability to accomplish everyday

tasks

Emotional Intelligence (Goleman)

To explain why smart people aren’t as successful as expected. Look at things like:

1. Self-Awareness

2. Mood Management

3. Self-Motivation

4. Impulse Control

5. People Skills

Measurement of Intelligence

Tests – measure different things

– Achievement Tests = show what you have learned

– Aptitude Tests = predict your ability to learn new skills

Measurement of Intelligence

Stanford-Binet Scale

• The first modern intelligence test – 1905

• Gave the mental age – intellectual level

at which a child is functioning Intelligence Quotient (IQ) – A # that reflects

the relationship between MA (mental age) and CA (chronological age)

Computing IQ

IQ = Mental Age (MA) x 100

Chronological Age (CA)

Above Average = >100

Average = score of 100

Below Average = < 100

Sample Test

Sample IQ test. Do not write on my handout

Wechsler scores

Scores based on a comparison of a person’s answers with the answers of others in the same age group

Average = 100 About 50% fall within broad range of 90 to

110 About 2% score above 130; about 2% score

below 70

Measurements of Intelligence

Reliability and Validity – In order for Psychologists to accept the test data it must be both

Test Reliability

• Reliability – Consistency, giving similar

scores every time

• Test-Retest Reliability – Determined by

comparing scores earned by the same person,

on the same test, taken at different times

Measurements of Intelligence

Test Validity – Results of a test are compared with outside standards and norms

• Validity – The test measures what it’s supposed to measure Problems with Intelligence Testing 1. Some people just test better 2. Educational/Economic Background can make a difference 3. Some people say they are culturally biased

Individual Work

You are to develop test questions that would be biased against people of your parents age group.

Example: you may ask about slang terms, current songs, dance moves.

Analyze the bias in the test.

Reading

Case study

Differences In Intelligence Mental Retardation • Technical Definition = IQ less than 70 • Other Indicators 1. Communication Problems 2. Problems Taking Care of Self 3. Poor Social Skills 4. Improper Use of Leisure Time 5. Inability Traveling within community 6. Poor Self-Direction 7. Poor Personal Hygiene **What is significant is that there are several levels of mental retardation**

Mild Retardation

About 80% of people classified with retardation are in this category

Includes people with IQ from 50-70 Often not obviously retarded, but: • As children - have more difficulty with childhood tasks (talking, walking, feeding self) – learn to read, write, do math • As adults – can take care of themselves but may need occasional guidance in certain situations

Moderate Retardation

People with IQ from 35 – 49 Can learn to speak, dress themselves, take

care of personal hygiene Usually do not learn to read or perform math

operations Children with Down syndrome typically fall

into this category Usually not capable of self-maintenance

Severe Retardation

People with an IQ from 20 -34 Require CONSTANT supervision May understand some speech and may be

able to respond

Profound Retardation

People with an IQ below 20 Barely communicate but can not feed

themselves Are completely dependent upon others for

survival

Causes of Retardation

Accidents that lead to brain damage Problems during childbirth Alcohol and Drug Abuse during pregnancy Malnourishment during pregnancy Genetic Disorders and Abnormalities

Ex (An extra chromosome in genetic make-

up → Down Syndrome)

Giftedness People who achieve an IQ score greater than 130 Often referred to as more than a score b/c gifted

means to 1. Possess outstanding talents

OR2. Potential to perform at remarkably high

levels when compared to people of same age Can be gifted in a variety of things • music • mathematics • science • leadership • creativity • language arts Savant Syndrome – A person of low intelligence

shows EXTREME giftedness in a particular area

Creativity

Often Giftedness and Creativity are linked Creativity – Ability to invent new solutions to

problems or create new materials IMPORTANT – A person CAN be creative

without being gifted

What Influences Intelligence?

Is it hereditary? (Inherited) or Environmental? Many psychologists believe that it’s a

combination of the two Attempts to explain why two individuals,

brothers for example, don’t possess the same IQ

Genetic Influences on Intelligence

Kinship Studies • Studied the IQ’s of twins who have the exact same DNA • The logic is, if DNA determines IQ and the twins have the EXACT same DNA,

then their IQ should be the same • By looking at 100 sets of twins, they found that their IQ’s were more alike than any other group • Their IQ’s are also close, even when raised apart from each other

Genetic Influences on Intelligence

Kinship Studies • Heritability – Extent to which variations between people can be explained by genetic factors • Heritability for IQ is from 40 – 60%...meaning that about half IQ differences can be explained with genetics

Genetic Influences on Intelligence

Adoptee Studies • 2 scenarios to show results #1 – A child is separated from biological parents at an early age but their IQ remains similar to them → Genetic #2 – A child is separated from biological parents at an early age and their IQ is similar to adoptive parents → environment*Most studies show scenario #1

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

In doing kinship studies, they did notice that those who were raised together are more alike than those raised apart → Environmental Influences

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Home and Parenting • Things like the following add to intelligence: 1. Parents are responsive to children’s needs

2. Parents provide enjoyable, educational toys 3. Parents involved in kids activities

4. Parents provide varied experiences during pre-school years 5. Home environment is well organized and safe

6. Children encouraged to be independent

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Preschool Program • These programs, especially those like Head Start (for economically disadvantaged children) have shown increases in IQ • Also less likely to repeat a grade • More likely to finish high school, attend college, and make more $

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Adults and Intelligence

• Intellectual functioning in adults is often

related to:

1. Income level 4. Intact Family Life

2. Education Level 5. Travel, Reading, etc..

3. Enjoyable Job Hist 6. Flexible Personality