pages 32 - 40

Anatomy of an Intelligence Test

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) - widely used for adults

developed - 1939 - american, david wechsler
originally called - Wechsler-bellvue intelligence scale

10 core subjects tested, devided into 4 components, 14 -33 q's in each increasing difficulty

verbal comprehension - 3 subtests - general verbal skills (give meaning of words), identify what in common, and general knowledge
perceptual reasoning - 3 subtests - non-verbal reasoning - reproduce patterns, manipulate pics and problem solving. involves pics not words
working memory - 2 subtests - repeat sequence 2 - 9 #'s and simple sums.
processing speed - 2 subtests - looks at speed and accuracy, identify pairs in a sequence of symbols. succesful if completed in <90secs.

processing speed NOT seen in Binet-Simon test

10 core area results = iq
also gives 4 'index scores' - for each component. Wais acknowledges not always a correlation.
so results show IQ + whether good, or bad in one or more components.

The number of different kinds of intelligences has changed over time, sometimes upto 8 components have been considered.

Fluid Intelligence - p37

fluid and crystallised attention - distinct components - 1970's Raymond Cattell

Fluid intelligence - icludes logical thinking & problem solving - even without knowledge
crystallised intelligence - language and general knowledge - knowledge required

no well developed theory, or definitive idea of what intelligence is. tests measure something, but what?

where shoe size in normal distribution can be measured, intelligence can't be observed or measured
only way to ensure validity is to compare it with others - test norms, by test standardisation which is give the test to a large number of people.

Galton suggested by testing someone believed intelligent and someone not, if difference shown in score it is valid
problem - need an idea of who is or isn't intelligent

in children - good grades = >intelligent - so test valid if iq score reflects this, first used by binet

This is an issue as schools can teach the skills needed to do well in the IQ tests.

to predict school performance parents support more important than IQ. more support = Duckworth (2011) - incentives improve IQ performance )pp.39) so motivation an influence

	Created by Anneliese Shaw almost 8 years ago

Notes and revision materials for chapter 1 Investigating intelligence, and the video from chapter 2 This is the first week of the Open University course, dd100 investigating intelligence