Wednesday, January 3 How could taking an intelligence test (and knowing or have schools know the scores) help a student/child? How could taking an intelligence test (and knowing or have schools know the scores) hurt a student/child? Today’s topic: Assessing Intelligence Upcoming Dates: Tonight’s HW Test Construction Questions Read Pages 535-544 by tomorrow Pages 544-549 by Friday Assessments: Test – Friday? Retest - Wednesday

Assessing Intelligence

Origins Alfred Binet and Theordore Simon Intelligence is whatever intelligence tests measure. Intelligence test – a method for assessing an individual’s mental aptitudes and comparing them with those of others, using numerical scores. Alfred Binet and Theordore Simon All children develop intellectually in the same way but some develop quicker Mental age – a measure of intelligence; the chronological age that most typically corresponds to a given level of performance

Origins Lewis Terman (Stanford) revised Binet’s test  Stanford-Binet (American version) adapted some questions, established new age norms, and extended the upper end of the test’s range from teenagers to “superior” adults William Stern (German) developed the intelligence quotient (IQ) mental age chronological age IQ is no longer computed with intelligence tests; now used as a term to refer to a score on an intelligence test x 100

Misuse of IQ and Intelligence Tests Historically, IQ tests have been used to label certain groups of people (immigrants, etc) as inferior. Again, intelligence tests assess intelligence which is culturally defined (Terman had to adapt the French test to fit the American culture) It is no wonder immigrants did poorly on American intelligence tests and were classified unfairly.

Modern Tests https://wechslertest.com/ Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) – developed by David Wechsler, the most widely used intelligence test; contains both verbal and nonverbal subtests 11 subtests Yields an overall intelligence score, and also scores for verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, working memory, and processing speed. Results are important to identify learning disabilities or brain disorders (important for teachers, employers, and therapists)  WAIS examples Also a version for children

Aptitude vs. Achievement Tests What is the difference between an aptitude test and an achievement test? Give examples of both. Is an AP Psychology Exam an example of an aptitude test or an achievement test?

Modern Tests Aptitude tests – designed to predict a person’s future performance as aptitude is the capacity to learn. Ex: SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test, formerly called the Scholastic Aptitude Test – seeks to predict your ability to do well in college) Achievement tests – designed to assess what a person has learned. Ex: EOC and AP Psyc Exam (End of Course exam – seeks to assess what you learned in the course)

Intellectual Disabilities and Giftedness Outliers Intellectual Disabilities and Giftedness

Savant Syndrome A condition in which a person otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific skill, such as in computation or drawing. 4/5 savants are male Many have autism however, AUTISM ≠ SAVANTISM

Extremes of Intelligence – Below 70 Intellectual Disability – a condition of limited mental ability , indicated by an intelligence score of 70 or below and difficult in adapting to the demands of life; varies from mild to profound. Intellectual Disabilities can sometimes have a physical cause – Down syndrome – a condition of ID and associated physical disorders caused by an extra chromosome in one’s genetic makeup.

Intellectual Disability Severity Many with intelligence scores just below 70 have been integrated into regular education classrooms and mainstream society  more happiness and dignity.

IQ of Gifted People A moderately gifted child is usually defined by an IQ score between 130 and 150 A profoundly gifted child has an IQ score of about 180 or above

More than just IQ . . . Possess outstanding talent Show potential for performing at high levels of accomplishment and achievement Possess creative qualities Have outstanding abilities Leadership, language, music/art, math Compared to others their age, gender, environment

Extremes of Intelligence – Above 130 Some extraordinarily intelligent children are more isolated and introverted, but most thrive and continue on to higher education. Controversy over gifted children programs: not as many children labeled as gifted are actually extraordinarily gifted “Tracking” children of different abilities can cause them to live up or down to a perception of their intelligence/abilities (self-fulfilling prophecy)

Intellectual Differences and Biases Nature vs. Nurture – Male vs. Female

Nature and Nurture Genetic Environmental Twin studies show that identical twins reared together have almost identical intelligence scores Adoptive children’s intelligence scores tend to resemble those of their birth parents rather than adoptive parents. Intelligence score of identical twins raised apart is less similar than scores of pairs raised together. Other studies have shown that children raised in impoverished or enriched environments or different cultures show that experiences influence test performance.

Heritability Heritability is a number that indicates the amount or proportion of some ability, characteristic, or trait that can be attributed to genetic factors Intelligence is 50% nature – 50% nurture Verbal ability is 55% nature – 45% nurture Memory is 55% nature – 45% nurture Researchers also suggest that your IQ score can vary 10-15 points depending upon your socioeconomic environment

Gender Differences better at math problem solving more underachievers Females Males better spellers more verbally fluent and can remember more words better at nonverbal memory more sensitive to touch, taste, and color better at math computation higher emotional intelligence - empathy better at math problem solving more underachievers

The Question of Bias Scientific bias – however, intelligence tests, like the SAT, are not biased in the fact that they are less valid for some groups. The predictive validity of the SAT (as in whether it accurately predicts future behaviors) is the same for men and women, blacks and whites, and the rich and poor. Stereotype threat – the self-confirming belief that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype.

The Question of Bias Are intelligence tests discriminatory? Yes – they are designed to distinguish individuals apart from their peers. No – they are not designed to distinguish individuals based on political, racial, or ethnic backgrounds