Intelligence
IntelligenceAccording to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, intelligence is described as the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria. Many psychologists have their own view on what intelligence really is and the debate over its true definition is very controversial. Most agree, however, that intelligence measures our ability to adapt to challenges. Intelligence varies for every person. It has been proven that intelligence tests can accurately predict performance on the job, dropping out of high school, and even chances of divorcing. These tests are not always completely accurate though. Many times these tests can be culturally biased and provide inaccurate results. Some psychologists believe intelligence is influenced by genetics, others believe it is environment which influences intelligence. I personally believe a combination of environment, genetics, and health; determine a person’s in intelligence.
Alfred Binet was one of the first psychologists to create an intelligence test. He created this test so the French public school system could properly place their students. Overtime, the Binet test has been changed and modified by many other psychologists. Different types pf intelligence tests were also created. There are two major types of intelligence tests. Some are designed to test aptitude, while others are designed to predict achievement. The most widely used intelligence test today is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised (WAIS-R). This test gives an overall intelligence score, and also assesses verbal and performance scores. These tests, although prominent in intelligence testing, have flaws. A major flaw it posses is its culture bias. Many questions, which are asked seem to be a product of American culture and may not be understood by those from different backgrounds, resulting in wrong answers. Many concerns were first raised by the influential journalist Walter Lippmann, in a series of published debates with Lewis Terman, of Stanford University. Lippmann pointed out the superficiality of the questions, their possible cultural biases, and the risks of trying to determine a person’s intellectual potential with a brief oral or paper-and-pencil measure. It has been shown on numerous tests that children from disadvantaged neighborhoods score lower on IQ tests than middle class families. William Labov studied this and concluded, “Inner-city children do not necessarily have inferior mothers, language, or experience, but the language, family style, and ways of living of inner-city children are significantly different from the standard culture of the classroom, and this difference is not always properly understood by teachers and psychologists.”(Labov 1972). Also, this test is not very accurate for many immigrants. For example, H. Goddard tested 178 immigrants at Ellis Island and found “83% of Jews, 80% of Hungarians, 79% of Italians, and 87% of Russians to be ‘feeble minding’”(Kleinmuntz, 1982, p. 333). Most of these immigrants did not fully understand English, and were at a disadvantage. Because of these...
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