Intelligence and aptitude testsUPDATED ACTUAL Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Problem with definition of intelligence There are many different definitions of intelligence, but it is difficult to have a
universally applicable definition
How should we try to define intelligence? Based on the tests that measure it
What does intelligence involve? - Ability to understand complex ideas
- Ability to learn from experience
- Ability to adapt effectively to one's environment
- Ability to engage in various forms of reasoning
- Ability to overcome obstacles through reflection
Definition of intelligence approved by specialists It is a very general mental aptitude, which notably includes the ability to reason,
plan, solve problems, think abstractly, understand complex ideas, learn quickly
and benefit from experience
Distinction between the concepts of - Places little emphasis on acquired skills
intelligence/aptitude tests and those of - Essentially emphasizes potential for academic or other success
performance/knowledge - Capacities are innate but also influenced by experience
What is important for the development of The nature of what one attempts to measure (theories of intelligence in
intelligence/aptitude tests? general, but not always)
Binet's perspective on intelligence - Emphasis on higher mental processes (such as judgment, reasoning and
common sense)
- Concept of mental age and measurement/interpretation of IQ
How to calculate IQ? (Binet) IQ = AM/AC * 100%
Classification of IQ levels Very superior : 130 and +
Superior : 120-129
Moderate high : 110-119
Moderate : 90-109
Moderate low : 80-89
Borderline : 70-79
Extremely low : 69 and -
Two classical theories of intelligence - Spearman's g factor
- Thurstone's primary mental abilities
Spearman's theory of intelligence Unifactorial theory of intelligence (g factor and s factor)
Spearman's g factor General mental ability/general intelligence
, Spearman's s factor Variance/specific intelligence
Spearman's g and c factor (other factors) w - willpower
c - character
Thurstone's theory of intelligence Multifactorial theory of intelligence including 7 factors
Thurstone's primary mental abilities - Spatial visualization (S)
- Numerical ability (N)
- Verbal comprehension (V)
- Perceptual speed (P)
- Memory (M)
- Word fluency (W)
- Reasoning (R)
Spatial visualization (S) Spatial aptitude (especially visual), mental rotations
Numerical ability (N) Aptitude for numbers, speed and accuracy of calculations
Verbal comprehension (V) Verbal aptitude, analogies, antonyms and text comprehension
Perceptual speed (P) Perceptual aptitude, speed of perception, item recognition
Hierarchical models of intelligence They represent a compromise between unifactorial and multifactorial
approaches to intelligence
Cattell's fluid and crystallized intelligence Measures the distinction between hereditary and environmental influences on
intelligence (potential & actual)
Fluid intelligence (Gf) Raw mental power (potential)
Crystallized intelligence (Gc) Accumulated knowledge learned through experience
Is it possible to measure fluid intelligence? No, since it is mostly innate and it is difficult to exclude crystallized intelligence
Vernon's model Provides a practical summary of existing theories of intelligence up to the mid-
20th century
4 tiers/levels of the Vernon model - g factor
- major group factors
- minor group factors
- specific factors
g factor - Vernon's model At the top of the hierarchy
Major group factors (Ved and Km) - Verbal factor (Ved)
- Spatial factor (Km)
Minor group factors Grouping of specific abilities (major intelligence factors - either verbal or
spatial)
Specific factors (items) At the bottom of the hierarchy, a series of diverse and well-defined abilities
and CORRECT Answers
Problem with definition of intelligence There are many different definitions of intelligence, but it is difficult to have a
universally applicable definition
How should we try to define intelligence? Based on the tests that measure it
What does intelligence involve? - Ability to understand complex ideas
- Ability to learn from experience
- Ability to adapt effectively to one's environment
- Ability to engage in various forms of reasoning
- Ability to overcome obstacles through reflection
Definition of intelligence approved by specialists It is a very general mental aptitude, which notably includes the ability to reason,
plan, solve problems, think abstractly, understand complex ideas, learn quickly
and benefit from experience
Distinction between the concepts of - Places little emphasis on acquired skills
intelligence/aptitude tests and those of - Essentially emphasizes potential for academic or other success
performance/knowledge - Capacities are innate but also influenced by experience
What is important for the development of The nature of what one attempts to measure (theories of intelligence in
intelligence/aptitude tests? general, but not always)
Binet's perspective on intelligence - Emphasis on higher mental processes (such as judgment, reasoning and
common sense)
- Concept of mental age and measurement/interpretation of IQ
How to calculate IQ? (Binet) IQ = AM/AC * 100%
Classification of IQ levels Very superior : 130 and +
Superior : 120-129
Moderate high : 110-119
Moderate : 90-109
Moderate low : 80-89
Borderline : 70-79
Extremely low : 69 and -
Two classical theories of intelligence - Spearman's g factor
- Thurstone's primary mental abilities
Spearman's theory of intelligence Unifactorial theory of intelligence (g factor and s factor)
Spearman's g factor General mental ability/general intelligence
, Spearman's s factor Variance/specific intelligence
Spearman's g and c factor (other factors) w - willpower
c - character
Thurstone's theory of intelligence Multifactorial theory of intelligence including 7 factors
Thurstone's primary mental abilities - Spatial visualization (S)
- Numerical ability (N)
- Verbal comprehension (V)
- Perceptual speed (P)
- Memory (M)
- Word fluency (W)
- Reasoning (R)
Spatial visualization (S) Spatial aptitude (especially visual), mental rotations
Numerical ability (N) Aptitude for numbers, speed and accuracy of calculations
Verbal comprehension (V) Verbal aptitude, analogies, antonyms and text comprehension
Perceptual speed (P) Perceptual aptitude, speed of perception, item recognition
Hierarchical models of intelligence They represent a compromise between unifactorial and multifactorial
approaches to intelligence
Cattell's fluid and crystallized intelligence Measures the distinction between hereditary and environmental influences on
intelligence (potential & actual)
Fluid intelligence (Gf) Raw mental power (potential)
Crystallized intelligence (Gc) Accumulated knowledge learned through experience
Is it possible to measure fluid intelligence? No, since it is mostly innate and it is difficult to exclude crystallized intelligence
Vernon's model Provides a practical summary of existing theories of intelligence up to the mid-
20th century
4 tiers/levels of the Vernon model - g factor
- major group factors
- minor group factors
- specific factors
g factor - Vernon's model At the top of the hierarchy
Major group factors (Ved and Km) - Verbal factor (Ved)
- Spatial factor (Km)
Minor group factors Grouping of specific abilities (major intelligence factors - either verbal or
spatial)
Specific factors (items) At the bottom of the hierarchy, a series of diverse and well-defined abilities
