Level 3 Psychology - Interactions of Approaches Achievement Standard 91872
Intelligence and the Approaches
The study of human intelligence has caused great controversy within psychology for many
decades. It has been heavily debated due to the complicity of defining and classifying the
concept, as well as its vast range of assumptions and theories. Such theories vary from having
one general intelligence, commonly referred to as g factor, to multi-categorical intelligences.
These have evolved throughout time as new psychological findings have provided more
insight into what factors actually influence human intelligence, but even today the topic is
still widely discussed in psychology. Alfred Binet introduced the intelligence quotient test
(IQ test) in the 1800s which is a measuring tool used to access an individual’s level of
intelligence. It does this by quizzing an individual through a variation of mathematical,
logical and pattern driven questions, producing a total score that is said to determine how
intelligent someone is. The average IQ score ranges between 90-110, with variables
extending outside of this considered to be above or below average intelligence levels.
Another tool utalised in psychology to measure intelligence is the Binet intelligence scale.
This test was administered to young children in order to evaluate their performance level by
comparing their mental age to their given chronological age, also called a mental quotient.
This was used to determine the learning potential of children to see if they needed intellectual
support. These primary tools of measurement contributed greatly to the development of
intelligence throughout history. It allowed new knowledge to be gained, and advanced our
understanding of human intelligence over time.
Biological Approach
The biological approach to psychology is based on the premise that all human behaviour is
innate at birth and is the result of an individual’s biological make-up. It examines four main
areas of study, of such including genes and heredity, the nervous system, neurotransmitters
and the structure of the brain and its processes. In relation to the variations among human
intelligence, the biological approach views this as a result of ranging brain size, structure and
ability to carry out mental functions. It also focuses strongly on the influence of genetics. It
claims that people with high levels of functioning in specific regions of the brain, specifically
in the superior parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, subsequently have a higher IQ. The
theories of this approach emphasise the relationship between the brain and intelligence. The
main theory of the biological approach is that all the knowledge an individual will ever know
, 2
is pre-programmed in the brain at birth, therefore making intelligence innate. This theory was
first introduced to psychology by famous philosopher Plato in 350BC, and has had a huge
influence on our thoughts surrounding human intelligence right into the 21 st century. Another
theory is that the biological approach is based on the belief that psychology should be viewed
in a scientific manner. Therefore, all experiments and studies regarding intelligence should be
conducted in laboratories using appropriate equipment, machinery and measuring tools. From
this belief, human intelligence is a scientific behaviour relating to genetics, the brain and its
processes, and should not be determined by simple observations. The most common method
utalised in biological psychology to investigate human intelligence is through lab
experiments, of such including genetic testing, brain scans and EEGs. These tests allow
scientists to measure the electrical activity within the brain, produce detailed images and
detect any genetic conditions. This is important as this can tell a lot of information regarding
the structure of the brain and the efficiency of its processes, and therefore can also help to
determine how intelligent someone may be. Another method utalised in the biological
approach is using twins to examine whether behaviour is due to genetics or the environment.
These twin studies allow scientists to examine the influence of the environment on
intelligence as it compares individuals with identical genetics. A study was conducted on a
set of twins, known as “The Jim Twins”, in the 1900’s. Both twins, named Jim, were
separated at birth and raised apart. They had no connection for 40 years, and it was when they
met that they discovered that they share many ‘freaky’ similarities beyond their appearance.
Both men were 6ft tall and weighed exactly 80kg. Each of their first wives were named
‘Linda’, and second wives names ‘Betty’. They both suffered from headaches, were nail
biters, and smoked the same brand of cigarettes. They had no connection for 40 years, but
shared many similarities and were almost identical in every way. This lead scientists to
believe that behaviour and, in this case, intelligence, is primarily a result of genetics, and that
the influence of the environment plays no role. This made a huge impact in the development
of intelligence throughout history as it provided accurate, scientific evidence that supported
its theories. It also drove the study of human intelligence down a more scientifically
investigated route, which caused the nature side of the nature-nurture debate to gain a lot of
popularity and support.
Behavioural Approach
Intelligence and the Approaches
The study of human intelligence has caused great controversy within psychology for many
decades. It has been heavily debated due to the complicity of defining and classifying the
concept, as well as its vast range of assumptions and theories. Such theories vary from having
one general intelligence, commonly referred to as g factor, to multi-categorical intelligences.
These have evolved throughout time as new psychological findings have provided more
insight into what factors actually influence human intelligence, but even today the topic is
still widely discussed in psychology. Alfred Binet introduced the intelligence quotient test
(IQ test) in the 1800s which is a measuring tool used to access an individual’s level of
intelligence. It does this by quizzing an individual through a variation of mathematical,
logical and pattern driven questions, producing a total score that is said to determine how
intelligent someone is. The average IQ score ranges between 90-110, with variables
extending outside of this considered to be above or below average intelligence levels.
Another tool utalised in psychology to measure intelligence is the Binet intelligence scale.
This test was administered to young children in order to evaluate their performance level by
comparing their mental age to their given chronological age, also called a mental quotient.
This was used to determine the learning potential of children to see if they needed intellectual
support. These primary tools of measurement contributed greatly to the development of
intelligence throughout history. It allowed new knowledge to be gained, and advanced our
understanding of human intelligence over time.
Biological Approach
The biological approach to psychology is based on the premise that all human behaviour is
innate at birth and is the result of an individual’s biological make-up. It examines four main
areas of study, of such including genes and heredity, the nervous system, neurotransmitters
and the structure of the brain and its processes. In relation to the variations among human
intelligence, the biological approach views this as a result of ranging brain size, structure and
ability to carry out mental functions. It also focuses strongly on the influence of genetics. It
claims that people with high levels of functioning in specific regions of the brain, specifically
in the superior parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, subsequently have a higher IQ. The
theories of this approach emphasise the relationship between the brain and intelligence. The
main theory of the biological approach is that all the knowledge an individual will ever know
, 2
is pre-programmed in the brain at birth, therefore making intelligence innate. This theory was
first introduced to psychology by famous philosopher Plato in 350BC, and has had a huge
influence on our thoughts surrounding human intelligence right into the 21 st century. Another
theory is that the biological approach is based on the belief that psychology should be viewed
in a scientific manner. Therefore, all experiments and studies regarding intelligence should be
conducted in laboratories using appropriate equipment, machinery and measuring tools. From
this belief, human intelligence is a scientific behaviour relating to genetics, the brain and its
processes, and should not be determined by simple observations. The most common method
utalised in biological psychology to investigate human intelligence is through lab
experiments, of such including genetic testing, brain scans and EEGs. These tests allow
scientists to measure the electrical activity within the brain, produce detailed images and
detect any genetic conditions. This is important as this can tell a lot of information regarding
the structure of the brain and the efficiency of its processes, and therefore can also help to
determine how intelligent someone may be. Another method utalised in the biological
approach is using twins to examine whether behaviour is due to genetics or the environment.
These twin studies allow scientists to examine the influence of the environment on
intelligence as it compares individuals with identical genetics. A study was conducted on a
set of twins, known as “The Jim Twins”, in the 1900’s. Both twins, named Jim, were
separated at birth and raised apart. They had no connection for 40 years, and it was when they
met that they discovered that they share many ‘freaky’ similarities beyond their appearance.
Both men were 6ft tall and weighed exactly 80kg. Each of their first wives were named
‘Linda’, and second wives names ‘Betty’. They both suffered from headaches, were nail
biters, and smoked the same brand of cigarettes. They had no connection for 40 years, but
shared many similarities and were almost identical in every way. This lead scientists to
believe that behaviour and, in this case, intelligence, is primarily a result of genetics, and that
the influence of the environment plays no role. This made a huge impact in the development
of intelligence throughout history as it provided accurate, scientific evidence that supported
its theories. It also drove the study of human intelligence down a more scientifically
investigated route, which caused the nature side of the nature-nurture debate to gain a lot of
popularity and support.
Behavioural Approach
