Why do self-estimates of intelligence correlate weakly with actual IQ?
Because intelligence requires metacognitive accuracy, and people with lower ability often overestimate themselves (double curse of incompetence).
What cognitive ability explains the double curse of incompetence?
Weak metacognitive monitoring.
What does standardization ensure in IQ testing?
That scores are compared against a representative norm group.
Why is deviation IQ superior to the mental-age formula?
It accounts for normal distribution and works across the lifespan.
Why does WAIS separate working memory and processing speed?
Because intelligence involves both reasoning capacity and efficiency of information processing.
If someone has high verbal comprehension but low processing speed, what does that imply?
Intelligence is multidimensional; strengths and weaknesses can coexist despite overall IQ.
Why are culture-fair tests not completely culture-free?
Because reasoning styles and test familiarity still depend on environment.
Why does high heritability NOT mean environment is unimportant?
Heritability reflects variation within a population, not immutability of a trait.
Why can heritability increase with age?
People increasingly select environments that match their genetic tendencies.
What is the “double whammy” problem in twin studies?
Twins share both genes and similar environments.
Why does schooling raise IQ scores?
It enhances abstract reasoning, problem-solving, and exposure to cognitively demanding tasks.
Why does poverty reduce IQ scores?
Nutritional deficits, stress, environmental toxins, and fewer cognitive resources.
Why are early intervention programs more effective when started young?
Brain plasticity is greater in early development.
Why does the Flynn Effect challenge purely genetic explanations of intelligence?
Genetic evolution cannot occur rapidly enough to explain generational IQ gains.
Why were gains largest in fluid intelligence?
Modern environments demand abstract, hypothetical thinking.
What does reaction range predict in enriched vs restricted environments?
Genetic potential sets limits, but enriched environments allow higher expression within that range.
Why can two people with similar genotypes have different IQs?
Environmental differences affect gene expression.
What does greater male variability explain?
More males at both the intellectual disability and gifted extremes.
Why are average IQ differences between sexes small?
Overall general intelligence (g) is similar across sexes.
Why must group IQ averages not be applied to individuals?
There is substantial overlap between distributions.
What evidence supports environmental explanations of racial IQ gaps?
- Gaps shrink over time * Flynn Effect * Equal environments reduce differences
How does stereotype threat impair performance cognitively?
It consumes working memory resources through anxiety.
If identical twins reared apart show high IQ correlation, what does this suggest?
Strong genetic influence.
If IQ rises when education increases, what does this suggest?
Environmental causation.
