1. Testing and Individual Differences
Chapter 11
Testing and Individual Differences
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2. How Do We Measure Individual Differences?
Measuring individual differences is an essential component of psychology, but strict guidelines and ethical standards must be followed to ensure results and conclusions are valid and appropriate
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3. Validity and Reliability
Validity – A property exhibited by a test that measures what it purports to measure
Face validity (looks)
Content validity (larger body of knowledge represented)
Item analysis
Criterion validity
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4. Validity and Reliability
Reliability – A property exhibited by a test that yields the same results over time
Test-retest reliability (compare versions of test)
Split-half reliability (compare halves of test)
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5. Standardization and Norms
Scientists use statistics to establish a normal curve
This curve can be used to describe most phenomena
Normal range – Scores falling near the middle of a normal distribution (2/3’s)
A statistically significant portion of population should be tested
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6. The Normal Distribution of IQ Scores
Many
Number of Persons
Normal Range
Few 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
100 IQ
Cognitively disabled <70; Giftedness>130
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Types of Tests
Objective tests can be scored easily by machine
In subjective tests, individuals are given an ambiguous figure or an open-ended situation and asked to describe what they see or finish a story
Inter-rater reliability measures how similarly two different test scorers would score a test
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8. Ethics and Standards in Testing
Ethical concerns related to testing involve:
The confidentiality of the test results
How to report the results
How to use the test to compare individuals
The impact of tests on society as a whole
How does this work in Education? Tracking, mainstreaming
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9. How is Intelligence Measured?
Intelligence testing has a history of controversy, but most psychologists now view intelligence as a normally distributed trait that can be measured by performance on a variety of tasks
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10. How is Intelligence Measured?
Binet Test- looking for “dull” students
Binet-Simon Test calculated a child’s mental age and compared it to his or her chronological age
In America, testing became widespread for the assessment of Army recruits, immigrants, and schoolchildren. Measures current performance
The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Lewis Terman) was the most respected of the new American tests of intelligence (supposed to test innate intelligence)
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11. How is Intelligence Measured?
Intelligence quotient – A numerical score on an intelligence test, original computed by dividing a person’s mental age by chronological age and multiplying by 100 IQ=MA/CAX100
Problem???
The original IQ calculation was abandoned in favor of standard scores based on the normal distribution (David Wechsler: WAIS, WISC, WPPSI) assesses performance on a variety of tasks
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The Exceptional Child
Mental retardation – Often conceived as representing the lower 2% of the IQ range
Giftedness – Often conceived as representing the upper 2% of the IQ range
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What can be done?
Educational programs can increase IQ by 15 points Early Intervention is Key Sensory stimulation and interaction help Lewis Terman Longitudinal Study
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14. What Are the Components of Intelligence?
Some psychologists believe that the essence of intelligence is a single, general factor, while others believe intelligence is best described as a collection of distinct abilities
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15. What Are the Components of Intelligence?
Savant syndrome – Found in individuals who have a remarkable talent even though they are mentally slow in other domains
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16. Psychometric Theories of Intelligence
g Factor – A general ability, proposed by Charles Spearman as the main factor underlying all intelligent mental activity
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17. Psychometric Theories of Intelligence
Raymond Cattell
Crystallized intelligence – The knowledge a person has acquired, plus the ability to access that knowledge
Fluid intelligence – The ability to see complex relationships and solve problems (heuristics and algorithms)
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18. Cognitive Theories of Intelligence
Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
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19. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
Practical Intelligence
Analytical Intelligence
Creative Intelligence
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20. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
Practical Intelligence
Ability to cope with the environment; “street smarts”
Analytical Intelligence
Creative Intelligence
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21. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
Practical Intelligence
Ability to analyze problems and find correct answers; ability measured by most IQ tests
Analytical Intelligence
also called logical reasoning
Creative Intelligence
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22. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
Practical Intelligence
Form of intelligence that helps people see new relationships among concepts; involves insight and creativity
Analytical Intelligence
Creative Intelligence
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23. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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24. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Often measured on IQ tests with reading comprehension and vocabulary tests
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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25. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Often measured on IQ tests with analogies, math problems and logic problems
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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26. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Ability to form mental images of objects and think about their relationships in space
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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27. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Ability to perceive and create patterns of rhythms and pitches
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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28. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Ability for controlled movement and coordination
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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29. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Ability to understand other people’s emotions, motives and actions
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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30. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Ability to know oneself and to develop a sense of identity
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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31. Gardner’s Three New Intelligences
Naturalistic intelligence
Spiritual intelligence
Existential intelligence
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32. Cultural Definitions of Intelligence
Cross-cultural psychologists have shown that “intelligence” has different meanings in different cultures
John Berry???
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33. Self-Fullfilling Profecy
Rosenthal & Jacobson proved with Rat Race Educational implications
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34. How Do Psychologists Explain IQ Differences Among Groups?
While most psychologists agree that both heredity and environment affect intelligence, they disagree on the source of IQ differences among racial and social groups
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35. How Do Psychologists Explain IQ Differences Among Groups?
Hereditarian arguments maintain that intelligence is substantially influenced by genetics
Henry Goddard- Used IQ tests to block immigration
Environmental approaches argue that intelligence can be dramatically shaped by influences such as
Health
Economics
Education
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36. Heritability and Group Differences
Heritability – Amount of trait variation within a group, raised under the same conditions, that can be attributed to genetic differences
Heritability says nothing about between-group differences
Arthur Jensen-IQ differences in race based on genetics. * ignored many aspects
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37. Heritability and Group Differences
Research with twins and adopted children shows genetic influences on a wide range of attributes, including intelligence
Research has also shown that racial and class differences in IQ scores can be eliminated by environmental changes
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38. IQ differences among groups
Sandra Scarr and Richard Weinberg
Compared adopted children of opposite race
No difference between race
Socioeconomic status plays large role in IQ. Why?
Head Start- the earlier the better
How are IQ tests biased?
Herrnstein and Murray Bell curve Study-????
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End of Chapter 11
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