Hi All,
Recently in PSY 327, we looked at a variety of IQ test's and evaluated the parameters which they use to measure 'g' or intelligence. Questions I had going into this were: Would these test have bias towards certain populations? Do they over-value certain aspects of intelligence? How do IQ test's evaluate people who have practice taking these exams?
As a group we looked at the WAIS, Standford-Binet, and the Wechsler IQ test. I was surprised to find that there were more similarities between tests than there were differences. All test's had a visual component to them (usually making use of shapes to evaluate an individuals visual processing skills). I was surprised to find none of the test had a auditory component to them. I would venture to say that if intelligence has a visual component to it, it would have a auditory component to it as well. On that thought, would it have a touch or physical sensory component to it as well? Perhaps these points are best left for my next blog post on multiple intelligence's. Either way, I felt that the test lacked diversity among the questions which they asked.
Also, someones previous experience could influence their performance on the test. Our instructor mentioned how historic IQ test's had picture of celebrities, and how an individuals knowledge of the celebrity was implicit on answering the question correctly. I could imagine a scenario where some of the modern tests could have biases may influence test performance. Hopefully we will get to a point in science where we can use empirical data to develop our IQ test's and have a biological basis for intelligence.
Until my next post,
Ryan
I agree with all the points you made Ryan. I feel that the test you examined only tested certain types of intelligence and was not a well rounded test. In order to fully understand someone's intelligence, all types of testing (auditory, visual, sensory) need to be tested. Otherwise the test results may be inaccurate. I personally people each person has a stronger intelligence in different subjects. So for example the IQ test Ryan examined, if someone is very visually intelligent they will score very high, but maybe a very intelligent auditory person may score lower in comparison.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting what you said about having a sensory component. I never really thought about that before, but if being perceptive is part of intelligence, then we should really test the strength of the senses as well as the ability to do math or remember sentences. I like that! I honestly had never thought about that before, but I agree that a sensory subtest should be part of IQ tests. Maybe they are in some that we didn't look at in class. Do you think that there are some senses that are more important than others in regards to measuring intelligence? What about the issue of a person being blind or deaf? Would that affect their IQ in an instance such as this? All very intriguing things to think about.
ReplyDeleteHere's some of my thoughts on your questions!
ReplyDeleteDo you think that there are some senses that are more important than others in regards to measuring intelligence?
Answer: I would say visual intelligence! It seems IQ tests focus on shapes and orienting them in your head to solve the problem. People with better vision/visual intelligence may have a advantage at this. In order to compensate for this, IQ tests should be more diverse in question sets, such that everyone has a equal chance at answering efficiently!
What about the issue of a person being blind or deaf?
Answer: If a person is blind or deaf, I would hope a auditory or visual test would be given such that each type of tester could have a equal opportunity at scoring well!
Would that affect their IQ in an instance such as this?
Answer: Possibly! I could definitely see an individuals senses influencing how they preform on these tests!