Lesson Notes

Lesson 8.3a What is Intelligence? Do We Have One or Many Intelligences?

Intelligence is essentially a hypothetical construct. What that means is that there is no real way to define it…people just have their own ways of doing so. One of the first thinkers on this topic was Charles Spearman who argued that there was one type of intelligence known as g (general intelligence).From there, researchers such as Louis Thurstone, J.P. Guilford, and Raymond Cattell came up with their own theories. Cattell’s theory of Fluid and Crystallized intelligence was an extension of Spearman’s g, but even this model didn’t explain everything.

More recently, two other types of intelligence theories have become popular. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory emphasized the importance of learning as a key contributor to intelligence.  Sternberg emphasized the role of the process as opposed to the end product. The other, and most influential model of our time, is Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. This belief that there are at least 8 types of intelligences seems to have taken all of the best information from the other theories and comprised them into a unified model. Gardner’s work has had a huge impact on the workplace, schools, and how we view individuals and the qualities they possess.

Lesson 8.3bHow Do We Measure Intelligence? IQ Tests and Scientific Standards

This lesson looks at the various ways that intelligence is measured. The issue of labelling intelligence to the point that you give it a score has been very controversial over the years. Does a number really tell me how intelligent you are? There are two main intelligence tests you will learn about in this lesson:

• Stanford-Binet: When most people think of intelligence tests this is the one that they are probably referring to. The Stanford-Binet gives us an IQ (Intelligence Quotient). The original IQ test began in France by Binet, but was brought to the United States by Lewis Terman who worked at Stanford University (hence Stanford-Binet). An intelligence tests rates your intelligence based on how you score as compared to people that are the same age. If you score the same, you will have an IQ of 100 – average. The way IQ is calculated is:

IQ = MA/CA x 100

In this equation you Mental Age (MA) is divided by your Chronological Age (CA) x 100

This test has been the cornerstone of intelligence testing for decades and has been the

basis of educational standards in many States.

• Wechsler Test: Designed by David Wechsler the adult (WAIS) and the child (WISC) tests are more encompassing than the traditional IQ test. These tests have designs for different age groups, a person’s ability can be evaluated separate or together, and you can even be tested if you do not speak English. These are all characteristics that the traditional Stanford-Binet does not do.

Most importantly when it comes to any intelligence test, it needs to be scientifically reliable. There are many people who take “intelligence tests” on the internet, but would guess that most of these do not meet scientific standards such as standardization, reliability, and validity. Without these benchmarks, intelligence tests are worthless.

One final note is that it appears that people are becoming smarter. The Flynn Effect assumes to account for these results. In general, the Flynn Effect believes that people’s intelligence has increased due to the level of public education, as well as students are better test-takers, and overall eat better than generations past.