chapter 14: intelligence

Question 1

define intelligence

Answer 1

ability to generalize memories (memory), flexibly use knowledge (cognition) to solve new problems (problem solving)

Question 2

differentiate between reliability and validity

Answer 2

reliability: consistency across instances of testing
validity: test is measuring what it is intended to measure

Question 3

define psychometrics

Answer 3

study of psychological assessment

• standardization: test scores are compared to pre-tested ‘standardization’ or ‘norm’ groups
• normal distribution/curve

Question 4

describe the simon-binet test

Answer 4

30 questions of increasing difficulty with some questionable items
- determine mental age

Question 5

what is the difference between simon-binet test and stanford-binet test

Answer 5

• if MA > CA, ability above average (gifted)
• if MA < CA, ability below average (delayed)

Question 6

which intelligence tests have both verbal and non-verbal scales

Answer 6

wechsler

Question 7

true or false? the environment is a better predictor of an IQ correlation among twins than genetics

Answer 7

false

Question 8

name factors that could affect performance on an IQ test

Answer 8

• socioeconomics
• gender differences in self-estimated intelligence
• culture: familiarity with task and stimuli can affect performance

Question 9

what is the Flynn effect

Answer 9

increase in population IQ at about 3 points per decade

Question 10

name 2 factors that could explain the flynn effect

Answer 10

• complexity: more focus on abstract thinking and critical thinking
• health: greater focus on health = ↑ brain function

Question 11

what is Spearman’s two factor theory

Answer 11

1. general intelligence: varies across people but stable within a person
2. specific abilities: affected by education and environment. can vary across person

Question 12

what is the difference between fluid intelligence and crystalized intelligence?

Answer 12

• fluid: capacity to acquire new knowledge and engage in flexible thinking (genetic)
• crystalized: knowledge and learning that has been acquired throughout the lifetime. affected by personality, education and culture (motivated learning)

Question 13

why does fluid intelligence decrease as we get older

Answer 13

prefontal cortex atrophies with time

Question 14

what is the savant syndrome

Answer 14

a person who is otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific ability

Question 15

what are acquired savant

Answer 15

people who acquire specific skills from brain injury

• to compensate for damage, other areas of brain will be ‘rewired’, which induces savant-like capabilities

Question 16

what is Sternberg’s theory of intelligence

Answer 16

process view that states that intelligence is not a system or structure

• capacity to automatize information processes and use them in appropriate settings

Question 17

what are the 3 intellectual components in Sternberg’s theory

Answer 17

1. meta-component (planning and decision making)
2. performance component
3. knowledge acquisition component

Question 18

name the 3 different types of intelligence

Answer 18

1. analytic
2. practical: ability to apply info to daily ambiguous situations
3. creative: ability to think in new ways and apply info flexibly

Question 19

how can mood affect your thinking

Answer 19

• positive mood promotes general “assimilative thinking” style, and leads to greater susceptibility to misinformation
• negative mood promotes specific “focused thinking” style, and lowers susceptibility to misinformation