© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 9: Intelligence

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. What Is Intelligence? Intelligence –Capacity to understand the world, think rationally, and use resources effectively when faced with challenges Intelligence tests –Tests that are developed in order to identify a person’s level of intelligence

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Different Types of Intelligence Fluid intelligence –Reflects information-processing capabilities, reasoning, and memory Crystal intelligence –Accumulation of information, skills, and strategies that are learned through experience and can be applied in problem-solving situations

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Different Types of Intelligence Gardner’s multiple intelligences –Musical –Bodily kinesthetic –Logical-mathematical –Linguistic –Spatial –Interpersonal –Intrapersonal –Naturalist

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sternberg’s Three Part Conception of Intelligence Practical intelligence –Intelligence relates to overall success in living Analytical intelligence –Focuses on abstract but traditional types of problems measured on IQ tests Creative intelligence –Involves generating novel ideas and products

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Practical Intelligence Application

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Different Types of Intelligence Emotional intelligence –Set of skills that underlie the accurate assessment, evaluation, expression, and regulation of emotions –Underlies the ability to get along with others

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Assessing Intelligence Mental age –Average age of individuals who achieve a particular level of performance on a test Chronological age –Physical age

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Assessing Intelligence Intelligent quotient –Score that takes into account an individual’s mental and chronological age IQ = MA CA X100

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Assessing Intelligence Standard bell curve

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. IQ Tests: Gauging Intelligence Stanford-Binet IV Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – III (WAIS-III) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - III (WISC-III)

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Achievement and Aptitude Tests Achievement test –A test designed to determine a person’s level of knowledge in a given subject area Aptitude test –A test designed to predict a person’s ability in a particular area or line of work

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Reliability and Validity: Taking the Measure of a Test Reliability –A tests ability to consistently measure what they are trying to measure Validity –The tests ability to measure what it is supposed to measure Norms –Standards of test performance

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Web-based Testing ETS Reliability and validity need to be ensured Sometimes online test-makers cut corners

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Variations in Intellectual Ability Mental retardation –Significantly below- average intellectual functioning, plus limitations in at least two areas of adaptive functioning involving –Communication skills –Self-care –Ability to live independently –Social skills –Community involvement –Self direction –Health & safety –Academics –Leisure & work

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Mental Retardation Classification Mild Retardation IQ Range Moderate Retardation Profound Retardation Below 25 Severe Retardation25 -39

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Identifying Roots of Mental Retardation Fetal alcohol syndrome –Most common cause of mental retardation in newborns, occurring when the mother uses alcohol during pregnancy Down syndrome –Resulting from the presence of and extra chromosome

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Identifying Roots of Mental Retardation Familial retardation –No apparent biological defect exists but there is a history of retardation in the family

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Integrating Individuals With Mental Retardation Care and treatment –Least restrictive environment –Mainstreaming –Full inclusion

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Intellectually Gifted 2 to 4 % of the population have IQ scores greater than 130 Most often are well adjusted, popular, and outgoing

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Group Differences in Intelligence Culture-fair IQ test –A test that does not discriminate against members of any minority group

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Group Differences in Intelligence Heritability –A measure of the degree to which a characteristic is related to genetic, inherited factors “The Bell Curve” –A widely debated study that suggested that there was an inherent difference in the ability levels of African American and Caucasian subjects.