This figure shows the average distribution for IQ scores.
Intelligence vs. Cognitive Development
Intelligence focuses on how people respond to the environment calculated by tests and measurements.
The intelligence theory is very black and white. While development is viewed as continuous, the intelligence during development either improves or declines. There is no correlation drawn between how information is learned, or through what process, instead the focus is entirely on the results. In this view, right answers and correct knowledge is indicative of more intelligence, while wrong answers are indicative of less intelligence.
Cognitive Development views people as active interpreters and processors of the environment. This view analyzes how a person internalizes, processes, and form theories about the world and interpretations about the environment. This view is organismic, or it focuses on how humans use their brains to process and adapt to their environment. Every human interprets each environment in a different way, based on a combination of previous experiences and current circumstances. There is a spotlight within this view on how thoughts are formed, what process lead to obtaining information, instead of specific results or subject matter.
Early Theories of Intelligence
Alfred Binet is credited with developing the first intelligence scale.
Lewis Terman created the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) which is mental age divided by chronological age multiplied by one hundred.
Intelligence focuses on how people respond to the environment calculated by tests and measurements.
The intelligence theory is very black and white. While development is viewed as continuous, the intelligence during development either improves or declines. There is no correlation drawn between how information is learned, or through what process, instead the focus is entirely on the results. In this view, right answers and correct knowledge is indicative of more intelligence, while wrong answers are indicative of less intelligence.
Cognitive Development views people as active interpreters and processors of the environment. This view analyzes how a person internalizes, processes, and form theories about the world and interpretations about the environment. This view is organismic, or it focuses on how humans use their brains to process and adapt to their environment. Every human interprets each environment in a different way, based on a combination of previous experiences and current circumstances. There is a spotlight within this view on how thoughts are formed, what process lead to obtaining information, instead of specific results or subject matter.
Early Theories of Intelligence
Alfred Binet is credited with developing the first intelligence scale.
- This scale is known as the 1905 Scale.
- Based on studying 50 students, Binet created a baseline for the average child based on age.
- This created the mental age, or a standard expectation for which other test-takers and students are compared against.
Lewis Terman created the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) which is mental age divided by chronological age multiplied by one hundred.
- The average IQ score ranges between 85-115.
- Higher than average intelligence scores higher than 115.
- Lower than average intelligence scores lower than 70.
- Above average intelligence scores above 130.
- This generalized intelligence is known as the "g factor"
- Specialized intelligence to an individual is known as the "s factor"
- Everyone contains the "g" and the "s", but the s grows with maturation into an "S"
This image shows Thurstone's seven primary mental abilities.
J.P. Guilford developed a structure of intelligence, which contains three dimensions, one representing content of thought, another the operations of thought, and the third the results of thinking about the subject matter.
- Guilford found 120 different kinds of intellectual abilities from this model.
- Within these 120 kinds of intelligence, guilford developed a test for divergent and convergent abilities.
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Testing Issues
Standardized tests are a touchy subject for many, as most students grow up with great anxiety towards taking such evaluations as the SAT, ACT, AP tests and more.
When looking at tests like these, it's important to examine the validity which is how the test performance actually measures and predicts standardized performance.
In attempts to make testing more fair, education boards recognized culture bias being present in tests. Culture bias refers to a student from a specific background having the ability to understand and test better due to a specific, usually white and middle-class, kind of upbringing. In attempts to eradicate this bias, educators sought to create a culture free test, meaning it would be rid of any cultural references. This is impossible, as some students will always relate more to a specific kind of language than others. As a compromise, culture fair tests are now being developed, which are tests free of words and instead relying on pictures and numbers to relay information for testing.
Modern Theories of Intelligence
Howard Gardner developed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Standardized tests are a touchy subject for many, as most students grow up with great anxiety towards taking such evaluations as the SAT, ACT, AP tests and more.
When looking at tests like these, it's important to examine the validity which is how the test performance actually measures and predicts standardized performance.
- Intelligence tests measure the capability to do well in school, while achievement tests examine a specific area and subject matter.
In attempts to make testing more fair, education boards recognized culture bias being present in tests. Culture bias refers to a student from a specific background having the ability to understand and test better due to a specific, usually white and middle-class, kind of upbringing. In attempts to eradicate this bias, educators sought to create a culture free test, meaning it would be rid of any cultural references. This is impossible, as some students will always relate more to a specific kind of language than others. As a compromise, culture fair tests are now being developed, which are tests free of words and instead relying on pictures and numbers to relay information for testing.
Modern Theories of Intelligence
Howard Gardner developed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
- Within this theory, each specific intelligence is operated by a specific part of the brain. Three of these specifics, linguistic, logical-mathematical, and spatial intelligences are what American culture usually equate with intelligence.
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Robert Sternberg developed the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence.
- Sternberg believed that intelligence should be measured in terms of meeting self-directed goals.This allows for the intelligence of those who are successful in life, yet do not score high on standardized intelligence tests.
- The three intelligences in his theory are analytic, creative and practical.
Daniel Goleman developed the theory of Emotional Intelligence (EI).
- Emotional intelligence is the ability to control and express an individual's emotions, and think critically about how that effects the environment. Goleman believed emotional intelligence was a better indicator of actual intelligence than standardized intelligence tests. Goleman split emotional intelligence into four domains, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
Intelligence Across the Lifespan
Infancy
Infancy
- Intelligence early on is monitored by what stimulates the infant, and how the infant reacts to stimuli. These are measured by three characteristics, attention, habituation, and dishabituation.
- Novelty is the main thing that draws an infants attention, because something new stimulates all of the infant's senses.
- Dishabituation is measured by renewed attention to a previously habituated stimulus.
- Habituation is shown in a lack of interest in repetitive presentation of a new stimulus.
- It is very difficult to predict an infant's future IQ.
- With the development of language skills during the childhood years, it becomes easier to measure intelligence.
- Parental influence and constant attention is important during this stage of development.
- During early childhood, with the development of basic motor skills, the "g" factor is the most prevalent.
- During ages 2-17, IQ can increase 28 points.
- Stabilization during adolescence allows the "s" factor to emerge.
- Theorists Horn & Cattell were the first to investigate adult intelligence.
- Crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence are key during this stage. Crystallized intelligence does not decline with age and is based on past experiences and prior knowledge, displaying a balance of facts and personal history. Fluid intelligence declines with age, and refers to issues of biological integrity, such as problem-solving and puzzles.
Personally >
I was pushed to score high on intelligence tests as a middle and high school student, however, I have always had strong anxiety associated with standardized tests. The sterility of the environment, and the large amount of information to recall at a moments notice really triggered my anxiety. However, with tutoring and long nights of studying, I finally scored really high on my ACT in high school. While this was definitely an achievement, and I was proud of myself in the right way, I didn't necessarily believe that score to properly reflect my intelligence. I take great issue with standardized intelligence tests, because they are made for students who test well by looking at question after question that is formatted the same. I hope that research continues to make these tests more accessible for students who think differently.
In the Future >
Understanding intelligence theories and the tests built out of them is essential for a future educator because each student in the classroom will tests differently. Additionally, many students, like myself, enter testing scenarios with great apprehension, to which teachers should be sensitive and attempt accommodation for the most accurate scores.
I was pushed to score high on intelligence tests as a middle and high school student, however, I have always had strong anxiety associated with standardized tests. The sterility of the environment, and the large amount of information to recall at a moments notice really triggered my anxiety. However, with tutoring and long nights of studying, I finally scored really high on my ACT in high school. While this was definitely an achievement, and I was proud of myself in the right way, I didn't necessarily believe that score to properly reflect my intelligence. I take great issue with standardized intelligence tests, because they are made for students who test well by looking at question after question that is formatted the same. I hope that research continues to make these tests more accessible for students who think differently.
In the Future >
Understanding intelligence theories and the tests built out of them is essential for a future educator because each student in the classroom will tests differently. Additionally, many students, like myself, enter testing scenarios with great apprehension, to which teachers should be sensitive and attempt accommodation for the most accurate scores.
