Psychology From Science to Practice

Cognition and Intelligence

PSY 105

Objectives of the Lesson

Upon completion of this lesson you will be able to: Explain the difference between intelligence as unitary or multifaceted Describe Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence Describe Robert Sternbergs triarchic theory of intelligence Describe Raymond Catells theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence Name and explain how two leading tests measure intelligence Compare and contrast the cognitive versus the neural basis of intelligence Compare and contrast the viewpoints on heredity versus environment on intelligence Explain the five areas of emotional intelligence

Overview

Intelligence referring to individual differences in cognitive abilities Theories Measuring intelligence Contributions of heredity and environment

Intelligence
Intelligence refers to:
Abilities to understand complex ideas Adapt effectively to the environment Engage in various forms of reasoning Overcome obstacles of careful thought

Unitary or a multifaceted ?
Unitary - single characteristic or dimension along which people vary Multifaceted - separate abilities that operate more or less independently

Other Theories of Intelligence

Howard Gardners theory of multiple intelligences

Recognized verbal, mathematical and spatial abilities as well as musical intelligence, bodily kinesthetic intelligence and personal intelligence Componential or analytic intelligence - think critically and analytically Experiential or creative intelligence - insight and formulate ideas Contextual or practical intelligence - adaptive sense or street smarts Fluid intelligence - information processing capabilities Crystallized intelligence - information stored over lifetime of experience plus skills and knowledge of problem solving

Robert Sternbergs triachic theory of intelligence

Raymond Catells theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence

Measuring Intelligence
Stanford-Binet
Score reflects level of intelligence or IQ

Wechsler Scales
Verbal and nonverbal performance items yielding separate scores

Intelligence Tests Requirements

Standardized
Test taken by persons representative of population Distribution scores approach shape of bell curve

Reliability
Yield same result each time taken
split half reliability - positive correlation between scores on two parts of test test-retest reliability - extent to which scores on test remain stable

Validity
Test measure what claims to measure Content validity items on test related to characteristics s suppose to measure Criterion-related validity - scores on a test are related to behaviors relevant to items test claims to measure

Cognitive Testing
Kaufman Assessment Battery Woodcock-Johnson Test of cognitive abilities Inspection time: minimum time stimulus exposed for individuals to make a judgment about it that meets criterion of accuracy Working memory capacity - complexity of representations and transformations correlated with intelligence test scores

Neural Basis of Intelligence

What we do, think, or feel, rests, on neurochemical events occurring in our brain Research findings after studying the brain:
Speed of nerve impulses conducted in visual system correlates with measures of intelligence Metabolic activity in brain show persons scoring highest on written ability use less energy than on complex cognitive tasks Lateral prefrontal cortex of brain hemispheres provide work space Differences in intelligence stem from differences in neural plasticity

Heredity and Intelligence

Human intelligence - result of complex interplay between genetic factors and environmental conditions Hereditability of intelligence: proportion of variance in intelligence within population attributable to genetic factors
Ranges 35% in childhood to 75% in adulthood Research on adopted children, twins reared apart, genetic studies

Environment and Intelligence

Flynn effect all levels of IQ test risen around world
Better nutrition, increased urbanization, television, better education, more cognitively demanding jobs

Group Differences in IQ Scores

Attribute to environmental variables Some tests suffer from cultural bias in content Other tests standardized on middle-class white people
Attempts to design culture-fair tests

Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman
Knowing our emotions Managing our emotions Motivating ourselves Recognizing and influencing others emotions Handling relationships

Summary
Intelligence is ability to understand complex ideas, to adapt effectively to environment, to learn from experience, to engage in reasoning, and to overcome obstacles. The three major theories of intelligence are Gardners theory of multiple intelligence, Sternbergs triarchic theory, and Cattels theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. Intelligence is measured by such tests as the StandfordBinet and Welchsler scales. Any psychological test is useful only to the extent that it has been carefully standardized and is both reliable and valid. There is evidence that both environmental and genetic factors play a role in intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a cluster of traits or abilities relating to the emotional side of life.