Introduction to Psychology

1
Introduction to Psychology

• Intelligence

2
What is Intelligence?

• The global capacity to
• Act purposefully
• Think rationally
• Deal effectively with the environment

3
History of Intelligence Testing

• Francis Galton
• Classification based on natural gifts
• Eugenics- selective breeding for a better race

4
History of Intelligence Testing

• Binet 1905
• Developed an intelligence test
• Identifying children who need extra help
• Did not believe IQ is destiny

5
History of Intelligence Testing

• Goddard
• Believed IQ is innate and cannot be changed
• Brought IQ tests to the US
• Advocated forced sterilization
• Tested immigrants
• Determined 80 were MR

6
IQ tests

• Stanford Binet
• Weschler for adults and children

7
The Normal Curve and Stanford-Binet
IQ Scores
Fig. 8.1
8
IQ Score Ranges Weschler

• 70-79 Borderline
• 80-89 Low Average
• 90-109 Average
• 110-119 High Average
• 120-129 Superior
• 130 Very Superior

9
Formula for IQ

• Mental Age/Chronological Age X 100
• If mental age is 12, chronological age is 10,
  then
• 12/10 x 100 120 IQ
• 10/10 x 100 100 IQ

10
Wechsler

• Verbal
• Information
• Comprehension
• Arithmetic
• Similarities
• Vocabulary

• Performance
• Picture arrangement
• Picture completion
• Block design
• Object assembly
• Digit span

11
Change in IQ Scores

• IQ scores usually become fairly stable by middle
  childhood
• Small, gradual increases up to age 40
• IQ scores may decline due to
• Chronic illness, drinking, unstimulating
  lifestyles

12
IQ Scores

• What can IQ scores predict?
• Correlation between IQ and school grades
• Achievement test performance

13
IQ scores

• IQ is LESS predictive of motivation, leadership,
  talents
• Only accounts for ¼ the variation in job success
• Other factors
• Motivation, health, social skills

14
Evaluating IQ tests

• Reliability will the person get approximately
  the same score each time?
• Validity does the test measure what it is
  supposed to measure?

15
Evaluating IQ tests

• Standardized are the same instructions given in
  the same way to each person?
• Norm comparing the individual with an
  appropriate population
• Compared to the group, is the score high, low,
  average?

16
Evaluating IQ tests

• Interactions between test administrator and test
  taker
• Importance of building rapport

17
The Role of Nature/Nurture

• Nature
• Genetics
• Some evidence that variation in IQ scores are due
  to heredity
• Twin/adoption studies

• Nurture
• Environment
• Enrichment, deprivation, educational quality
• Intervention programs

18
Cultural Bias in IQ Tests

• Knowledge based on exposure, quality of education
• Orchestra
• Horseback riding
• Culturally appropriate behavior
• Calling police/authorities

19
Stereotype Threat

• Anxiety that ones behavior might confirm a
  negative stereotype against ones ethnic/racial
  group
• Measuring IQ or just assessing the test?
• African-American students performed as well as
  other groups when they didnt believe their IQs
  were being measured (Steele Aronson, 1995)

20
IQ Tests

• Contributions?
• Critique?

21
Gardners Multiple Intelligence Theory

• Many diverse intelligences or ways of knowing
• Not all excel at math and verbal skills
• These individuals are underserved in the
  educational system

22
Multiple Intelligence Theory

• Verbal
• Mathematical
• Spatial
• Bodily-kinesthetic

• Musical
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal
• Naturalist

23
MI Theory in the Classroom

• How would you present a topic about Native
  Americans using Gardners MI theory?

24
Multiple Intelligence Theory

• Contributions
• Acknowledges diverse ways of knowing
• Educational application

• Critique
• Not specific enough
• Are these intelligences or talents?
• Difficult to measure

25
Mental Retardation

• Both IQ and daily living skills are taken into
  account

26
Classification of Mental Retardation based on IQ
Fig. 8.11
27
Adaptive Living Skills

• Self-care
• Assesses independence

28
Causes of Mental Retardation

• Organic genetic disorder or brain damage
• Familial growing up in a deprived environment

29
Mental Retardation as a Social Construction

• 1970s Change in IQ cutoff score for diagnosis of
  MR

30
Savant Syndrome

• Islands of brilliance
• Developmental disabilities
• The skill/talent stands in great contrast to the
  individuals overall level of functioning

31
Savant Syndrome

• Autism
• MR
• Brain Injury/Disease
• Acquired Savant Syndrome

32
Savant Syndrome

• Possible Causes
• Damage to left hemisphere, right hemisphere
  compensates
• Eidetic imagery
• Practice