Intelligence

• Individual Difference research, focuses on non-average people.

History

• Sir Francis Galton
  • Cousin of Darwin
  • Measured people in different dimensions, head circumference, reaction time, etc.
  • Social Darwinism and eugenics?
• Alfred Binet
  • French schools were interested in seeing how intelligence abilities vary among students.
  • Created a bunch of little tests.

Test

• Current version of Binet test (Stanford-Binet test, or Binet-Simon test)
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Abstract Visual Reasoning
  • Short-Term Memory (avg people holds 7 +/- 2 digits)
• Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale (or Simon-Binet IQ test)
  • Manipulate the scores to norm the test
  • Categorized into: Genius, Very Superior, Superior, Average, Dull, Borderline Deficiency, Imbecile, Idiot (these words got into our language)
• Validity?
  • Questionnaire worded in white/Harlem language. Verbal test is not culture-free.
  • “When you’re not speaking native language, your IQ drops 10 to 20 points.”
  • Verbal free tests.

Resources