Modern intelligence testing started in France, and the goal was to differentiate mental retardation from mental illness. Intelligence testing also aimed to provide appropriate instructional services for both groups. IQ scores are used for different purposes, some of which are to predict educational achievement or special need education, future job performance, income, and general quality of life. Recently, some of the most-used IQ tests are the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Stanford-Binet, Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, and Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, and Raven's Progressive Matrices. (Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia, 2011)
Many of the broad, recent IQ tests have been greatly influenced by the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory. It is argued to reflect much of what is known about intelligence from research. 10 broad abilities in turn are subdivided into 70 narrow abilities. The broad abilities are:
· Fluid Intelligence (Gf): includes the broad ability to reason, form concepts, and solve problems using unfamiliar information or novel procedures.
· Crystallized Intelligence (Gc): includes the breadth and depth of a person's acquired knowledge, the ability to communicate one's knowledge, and the ability to reason using previously learned experiences or procedures.
· Quantitative Reasoning (Gq): the ability to comprehend quantitative concepts and relationships and to manipulate numerical symbols.
· Reading & Writing Ability (Grw): includes basic reading and writing skills.
· Short-Term Memory (Gsm): is the ability to apprehend and hold information in immediate awareness and then use it within a few seconds.
· Long-Term Storage and Retrieval (Glr): is the ability to store information and fluently retrieve it later in the process of thinking.
· Visual Processing (Gv): is the ability to perceive, analyze, synthesize, and think with visual patterns, including the ability to store and recall visual representations.
· Auditory Processing (Ga): is the ability to analyze, synthesize, and discriminate auditory stimuli, including the ability to process and discriminate speech sounds that may be presented under distorted conditions.
· Processing Speed (Gs): is the ability to perform automatic cognitive tasks, particularly when measured under pressure to maintain focused attention.
· Decision/Reaction Time/Speed (Gt): reflect the immediacy with which an individual can react to stimuli or a task (typically measured in seconds or fractions of seconds; not to be confused with Gs, which typically is measured in intervals of 2–3 minutes). (Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia, 2011)
Even though this approach seems to consider more factors of our human intelligence, I believe there is more to a human being than the above factors. Emotional intelligence, intuitive and metaphysical intelligence should be also considered. We are learning every day the how amazing human beings can be, and that for tells me that there is more to humans that can ever be measured.
For more information on Intelligence Testing visit:
Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia. (2011, October 8). Intelligence quotient. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence_quotient
I believe that IQ test are very subjective. I watched a report several years ago that, discribed how the questions were more easily answered by white middle class children. Also as a child I had great difficulty in school and had a low IQ score. I was retained in 2nd and 5 th grade. That was 35 years ago. As I grew older, things just clicked. When I was in college I was on the deans list. I graduated College in 1989. I now have a 4.0, go figure.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I also believe that the whole child should be considered when creating assessment materials.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, very interesting learning how testing is conducted in France!
It is so important that we look at the whole child and what they can do. I have been a teacher for many years and have seen the effects that tests of any kind can have on children. There is so much you can tell about a child just from mere observation.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I have enjoyed reading your blog during this course. I have appreciated your insight into the field of early childhood education. And I plan to continue reading your blog after this course finishes. Thanks for all your great input!!