Question 1

According to Scarr and McCartney, what is the main reason that identical twins continue to have similar IQ scores throughout life, whereas the resemblance of IQ scores between fraternal twins decreases with time?

Accepted Answer

Identical twins tend to select and create more similar environments for themselves compared to fraternal twins, which contributes to the sustained similarity in their IQ scores over time. This phenomenon is known as the gene-environment correlation.

Question 2

Which of the following abilities depends on an individual's fluid intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Fluid intelligence involves the capacity to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge. It encompasses the ability to analyze novel problems, identify patterns and relationships that underpin these problems, and the extrapolation of these using logic. This is why solving novel problems and thinking creatively in new situations depends on an individual's fluid intelligence.

Question 3

According to Binet's original intelligence test, what was meant by the expression "mental age of 7"?

Accepted Answer

Binet's concept of "mental age" referred to the level of mental performance associated with the average abilities of children of a certain chronological age. Thus, if a child had a mental age of 7, it meant they could correctly answer the test items that most 7-year-olds could, indicating their mental performance was typical for that age group.

Question 4

In Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence, which component of intelligent behaviour do "street smarts" refer to?

Accepted Answer

"Street smarts" refer to the contextual component of Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence, which emphasizes the ability to apply knowledge to the real world, adapt to different environments, and select and shape environments.

Question 5

Why did Cattell and Horn propose that Spearman's g factor, and Thurstone's concept of primary mental abilities should be subdivided into fluid and crystallized intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Cattell and Horn proposed the subdivision into fluid and crystallized intelligence to distinguish between the ability to solve new, abstract relational problems (fluid intelligence) and the ability to apply knowledge gained from schooling and life experiences (crystallized intelligence).

Question 6

Carmen's parents have always taken an interest in her intellectual accomplishments, and they urge her to do the best she can in school.Her parents have a flexible parenting style that is not overly strict, yet not overly permissive.Based on the research of McCall and colleagues, what might you expect about the stability of Carmen's IQ score?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carmen's parents have always taken an interest...

Question 7

In comparison to their less intelligent peers, which of the following best characterizes the developmental outcome of the gifted children in Terman's study?

Accepted Answer

Terman's longitudinal study of gifted children, known as the Terman Study, found that gifted children tended to grow up to be more successful and better adjusted emotionally than their less gifted peers. This contradicts common stereotypes that suggest high intelligence might be linked to emotional or social difficulties.

Question 8

How did Binet and Simon define mental age?

Accepted Answer

Binet and Simon defined mental age as the age that best fits the child's current level of intellectual performance, meaning it reflects the intellectual age at which a child operates, not their chronological age or potential.

Question 9

According to Charles Spearman, which two factors should be used to conceptualize intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Charles Spearman proposed that intelligence can be understood in terms of two factors: a general intelligence factor, known as "g," which underlies performance on all cognitive tasks, and specific factors, known as "s," which account for abilities in particular tasks.

Question 10

Which of the following individual characteristics do intelligence scores best estimate?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence scores are designed to estimate an individual's current intellectual performance, reflecting their ability to solve problems, reason, and understand complex ideas at the time of testing.

Question 11

At what point in Piaget's stages of development does the introduction of compensatory education produce the greatest long-term benefits?

Accepted Answer

The answer of At what point in Piaget's stages of...

Question 12

Modern tests of intelligence calculate IQ as a deviation score.When this method of reporting is used, the scores of 68 percent of all individuals will fall within what range?

Accepted Answer

The method of reporting IQ as a deviation score typically uses a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Therefore, 68 percent of scores fall within one standard deviation of the mean, which is between 85 (100-15) and 115 (100+15).

Question 13

Which of the following traits would you be most accurate in predicting if you were to use IQ scores?

Accepted Answer

IQ scores are most predictive of academic achievement because they measure cognitive abilities that are directly related to learning and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic success.

Question 14

Karlene wants to provide the best home environment she can for her newborn son to maximize his intellectual potential.Based on current research findings, which of the following would you recommend that Karlene do to reach her goal?

Accepted Answer

Being highly involved and emotionally responsive is crucial for a child's intellectual and emotional development, as it fosters a secure attachment and encourages exploration and learning.

Question 15

Based on contemporary research, which of the following characteristics of infant behaviour is the best predictor of intelligence scores in the preschool period?

Accepted Answer

Speed of habituation to repetitive stimuli in infants has been found to be a strong predictor of later intelligence scores. This is because it reflects the efficiency of an infant's information processing capabilities, which are foundational to cognitive development.

Question 16

According to Klineberg's cumulative deficit hypothesis, what can be predicted about the intellectual deficits of children who are raised in impoverished environments?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Klineberg's cumulative deficit hypothesis, what...

Question 17

Which of the following is the best predictor of whether a child will succeed in an academic setting?

Accepted Answer

Prior course grades are often considered the best predictor of future academic success because they reflect a combination of intelligence, effort, and achievement in a structured educational setting.

Question 18

Which of the following theorists would endorse the notion that each person's many problem-solving skills mature at different phases of life?

Accepted Answer

Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences, which suggests that different types of intelligence develop at different stages and rates in individuals.

Question 19

Although all of the HOME subscales are moderately correlated with children's IQ scores, some are better predictors of intellectual performance than others.Which two scales seem to be strong predictors of future scholastic achievement?

Accepted Answer

C  Parental involvement and responsiveness are crucial for cognitive development, as they provide emotional support and stimulation. Additionally, organizing the environment and providing age-appropriate materials foster learning and intellectual growth.

Question 20

What do psychometricians mean when they say that intelligence scores are normally distributed?

Accepted Answer

Most intelligence scores tend to cluster around the middle of the distribution, creating a bell-shaped curve typical of a normal distribution. This means that average intelligence is the most common, with fewer individuals showing extremely high or extremely low intelligence scores.

Quiz 10: Intelligence: Measuring Mental Performance