Question 1

Intelligence quotient (IQ)tests attempt to measure an individual's probable performance in school and similar settings.

Accepted Answer

IQ tests are designed to measure an individual's cognitive abilities, including their ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and solve problems. These abilities are often critical for success in academic and professional settings, so IQ test scores can provide useful information about an individual's potential performance in these areas. However, it is important to note that IQ scores are not an infallible predictor of academic or career success, and should always be considered in conjunction with other factors such as motivation, work ethic, and personal interests.

Question 2

Psychologists now agree that the Progressive Matrices test is entirely free of cultural influence.

Accepted Answer

While the Progressive Matrices test attempts to minimize cultural bias, there is still debate among psychologists about whether it is entirely free of cultural influence.

Question 3

On average,the IQ scores of fraternal twins correlate with each other more highly than do the IQ scores of identical twins.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The opposite is actually true - the IQ scores of identical twins correlate with each other more highly than the IQ scores of fraternal twins. This is because identical twins share 100% of their genetic material, while fraternal twins share only 50% on average. IQ has been shown to have a high heritability, meaning that a significant portion of IQ variance can be attributed to genetics. Therefore, it makes sense that identical twins, who share all of their genes, would have more similar IQ scores than fraternal twins, who only share half of their genes on average.

Question 4

I administer an intelligence test and find that left-handed people score higher than right-handed people.Researchers should conclude that this test is biased against right-handed people.

Accepted Answer

It is not appropriate to conclude that the test is biased against right-handed people based on a single observation. Further research and analysis is necessary to determine the validity and reliability of the test and whether there may be other factors, besides handedness, that could explain the differences in scores.

Question 5

A five-year-old who has a Stanford-Binet IQ score of 116 is more intelligent than an eight-year-old who also scores 116.

Accepted Answer

IQ scores, such as those from the Stanford-Binet test, are age-adjusted. This means a score of 116 represents the same percentile of intelligence within each age group, not a higher level of absolute intelligence in a younger child compared to an older child.

Question 6

If a test has poor reliability,it will also have poor validity.

Accepted Answer

For a test to be valid (accurately measure what it's supposed to measure), it must first be reliable (produce consistent results). If a test is not reliable, its results cannot be consistently replicated, undermining its validity.

Question 7

The finding that tests of intelligence (as well as other kinds of cognitive tests)are positively correlated with one another is consistent with Spearman's concept of g.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Spearman's concept of g proposes that there is a general intelligence factor that underlies all cognitive abilities, and that this factor is positively correlated with performance on various tests of cognitive ability. Therefore, the finding that intelligence tests are positively correlated with each other is consistent with this theory.

Question 8

Standard IQ tests attempt to measure crystallized intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Standard IQ tests attempt to measure both crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence. Crystallized intelligence is the knowledge and skills that a person has acquired through education and experience, while fluid intelligence is the ability to reason and problem-solve in new situations.

Question 9

The goal of the first intelligence tests was to identify the LEAST capable children,those who could not learn from ordinary schooling.

Accepted Answer

The first intelligence tests, developed by Alfred Binet in France, were designed to identify children who needed additional academic assistance or special education, not necessarily those who were the least capable overall. The tests were meant to be used as a tool for identifying which students might require extra attention and support in order to achieve their full potential.

Question 10

Psychologists now agree that Spearman's g is best explained as the single ability of mental speed.

Accepted Answer

While some psychologists believe that Spearman's g may be related to mental speed, many argue that it is a more complex concept that encompasses multiple cognitive abilities. Therefore, it cannot be reduced to a single ability such as mental speed.

Question 11

A psychologist needs to measure the intelligence of a person who has recently immigrated to the United States and who does not speak English.The psychologist should administer the Progressive Matrices test rather than the Stanford-Binet.

Accepted Answer

The Progressive Matrices test is a nonverbal intelligence test that does not rely on language skills, making it a more appropriate choice for a person who does not speak English. The Stanford-Binet, on the other hand, is a verbal intelligence test that requires proficiency in the English language.

Question 12

Psychologists have identified the cause of the Flynn effect.

Accepted Answer

The Flynn effect refers to the observed rise in IQ scores over time, but psychologists have not identified a single cause for this phenomenon. Several factors, including improved nutrition, education, and environmental complexities, are believed to contribute to it, but the exact cause or causes remain a subject of ongoing research and debate.

Question 13

Contemporary intelligence researchers such as Howard Gardner and Robert Sternberg have proposed theories claiming there are many different kinds of intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences stating that there are nine different types of intelligence while Robert Sternberg's triarchic theory claims that intelligence is composed of three parts.

Question 14

The Wechsler Intelligence Scales for children (WISC-IV)provide scores in four major categories.

Accepted Answer

The WISC-IV provides scores in four major categories: Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed.

Question 15

Studies of impoverished families find less evidence for genetic influences on intelligence than do studies of middle-class families.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true based on the research conducted on this topic. Studies have found that in disadvantaged families, environmental factors such as poverty, lack of access to resources, and inadequate educational opportunities play a larger role in determining intelligence than genetic factors. On the other hand, studies conducted on middle-class families have found more evidence for genetic influences on intelligence.

Question 16

A question on a math test contains a diagram of an American football field.If this question is among the easiest for men to answer and among the hardest for women to answer,we can conclude that this test question is biased.

Accepted Answer

The question exhibits gender bias, as it assumes that men have more familiarity with American football than women. This reflects a stereotype and creates an unfair advantage for male students.

Question 17

The Stanford-Binet is now considered the only test entirely free of cultural influence.

Accepted Answer

No test is entirely free of cultural influence, including the Stanford-Binet. However, it has been designed to minimize this influence as much as possible.

Question 18

On average,people with high IQ scores have fewer car accidents than people with low IQ scores.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that there is a correlation between IQ scores and the likelihood of car accidents, with higher IQ scores being associated with fewer accidents. However, it is important to note that this is a correlation and not a causation, and that many other factors such as driving experience, behavior, and external conditions can also impact accident rates.

Question 19

The reliability of a test is defined as the repeatability of its scores.

Accepted Answer

The reliability of a test is indeed defined as the consistency or repeatability of its scores, which means that if the test is administered multiple times to the same individuals, their scores should be relatively consistent and not vary significantly.

Question 20

Psychologists first developed the theory of intelligence,and then they began to develop the original tests of intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists first began developing tests of intelligence, and then they used the data from these tests to develop the theory of intelligence.

Quiz 9: Intelligence