Intelligence Theories Overview

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Questions and Answers

What can result from assuming a linear relationship between predictors and outcomes?

Overestimation of predictive validity

Increased complexity in criterion measures

Neglect of moderator variables

Underestimation of predictive validity (correct)

Why is range restriction a problem in determining predictive validity during selection?

It creates a wider spread in X and Y

It is based on all potential candidates regardless of scores

It results in only considering lower scoring candidates

It limits the available criterion scores to a select group (correct)

What is a consequence of ignoring complex group compositions in evaluations?

It enhances the validity coefficients

It may require different subsamples for different subgroups (correct)

It simplifies the selection process

It guarantees uniform criteria across groups

What might happen if the criterion measure is too general?

Important subtleties may be lost Signup and view all the answers

What is an implication of considering both personality and task performance?

Relationships may be non-linear Signup and view all the answers

What does the correlation value (r = .40) suggest about the relationship between the math test scores and the statistics grades?

There is a moderate positive relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely impact of having a selection procedure that only admits students with at least half of the math questions correct?

It will likely create a bias leading to an underestimation of predictive validity. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by incremental validity in the context of the discussed selection procedure?

It refers to the additional value a test provides beyond existing information. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, if 50% of candidates are selected, what implication does this have for the correlation determined by the selection procedure?

The correlation may underestimate the predictive validity. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the correlation (r = .29) between the statistics grades and math test scores be considered lower than expected?

There may be external factors affecting grades. Signup and view all the answers

What does crystallized intelligence (Gc) primarily consist of?

Everything learned through experience Signup and view all the answers

According to Jean Piaget, which stage involves the use of principles of conservation?

Concrete operational Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of developmental theories of intelligence?

Stages of development are qualitatively different Signup and view all the answers

Carroll's three-stratum theory primarily focuses on what aspect of human abilities?

The analysis of factor analyses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the sub-theories in Sternberg’s triarchic theory?

Practical Signup and view all the answers

Which intelligence type is NOT proposed by Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory?

Emotional Signup and view all the answers

What does Jensen’s theory suggest about fluid intelligence (g)?

It influences intelligence test performance Signup and view all the answers

What do information processing theories emphasize in relation to intelligence?

How content is processed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of factor analysis?

To summarize many variables into fewer factors while retaining information Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about predictive validity is true?

It is important to check the context in which a test is used. Signup and view all the answers

What does a change in $R^2$ of .009 indicate after adding procrastination as a variable?

A negligible effect of procrastination on the model Signup and view all the answers

In factor analysis, what is a 'factor'?

A weighted sum of item scores that reflects a latent variable Signup and view all the answers

How is internal structure validity demonstrated?

Via factor analysis as a method Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes exploratory factor analysis from confirmative factor analysis?

Exploratory aims to identify the structure of the test, while confirmative tests a hypothesis about that structure. Signup and view all the answers

What role does range restriction play in predictive validity?

It can obscure the true relationship between variables. Signup and view all the answers

Which latent variable could potentially be measured in a test incorporating factor analysis?

Constructs like conscientiousness or verbal intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What does a high item-test correlation indicate about an item?

It is related to the overall test score. Signup and view all the answers

How is corrected item-total correlation calculated?

By correlating a specific item's score with the total score minus that item's score. Signup and view all the answers

What does the disc point index contribute to item analysis?

It compares the proportion of correct responses between various groups. Signup and view all the answers

In item analysis, what does a strong corrected item-total correlation suggest?

The item is effectively measuring the underlying construct. Signup and view all the answers

Which item analysis statistic measures how well an item is endorsed by different scoring groups?

Discrimination point index. Signup and view all the answers

What does a low item-test correlation typically suggest about an item?

The item might not be aligned with the test objectives. Signup and view all the answers

Which item would likely be characterized by high endorsement in a high-scoring group?

An easy item that most students answer correctly. Signup and view all the answers

Which method can reinforce the reliability of a test based on item analysis?

Removing items with low discrimination power. Signup and view all the answers

What is one key difference between item discrimination and corrected item-total correlation?

Item discrimination assesses groups, while corrected item-total examines individual item relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cattell's Gf-Gc Theory

Fluid intelligence (Gf) is the innate mental capacity.
Crystallized intelligence (Gc) is everything learned.
Gf is about potential, while Gc is about actual achievement.
This theory proposes a hierarchical structure where both Gf and Gc have several components.

Carroll's Three-Stratum Theory

Summarizes existing hierarchical models by analyzing data from hundreds of factor analyses on human abilities.

Developmental Theories

Emphasize cognitive development with age and experience.
They differ from psychometric theories, which focus on analyzing relationships between specific tests.
Key features:
- Development occurs in stages, each qualitatively different.
- Stages are fixed in order and everyone goes through them.
- Stages cannot be skipped and are irreversible.
- Stages are usually related to age.

Jean Piaget's Theory

A prominent developmental theory of intelligence.
Four main stages:
- Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Lack of object permanence.
- Preoperational (2-6 years): Lack of conservation principles.
- Concrete operational (7-12 years): Understanding of conservation and reversibility.
- Formal operational (12+ years): Mature cause-and-effect reasoning.

Information Processing Theories

Focus on how information is processed, not just what is known.
Intelligence is measured using elementary cognitive tasks (ECTs).
ECTs are simple tasks requiring mental processing, providing a potential culture- and education-free assessment.
Example: Reaction time.
The Semantic verification task is another example.

Jensen's Theory

Fluid intelligence ("g") influences both intelligence test performance and information processing factors.

Sternberg's Triarchic Theory

Three sub-theories:
- Componential (mental processes).
- Experiential (novelty-automation).
- Contextual (environment interaction).
Introduces the concept of "practical intelligence".
This theory has faced considerable criticism.

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory

Proposes several types of intelligence:
- Linguistic.
- Logical-mathematical.
- Spatial.
- Musical.
- Bodily-kinesthetic.
- Intrapersonal.
- Interpersonal.
- It is a controversial idea with no clear consensus.

Factor Analysis

Aims to summarize a large number of variables (items) into a smaller set of variables (factors).
Factor analysis helps to understand better what is being measured.
The factors are weighted sums of item scores or subtest scores.
Key concept: There are similar patterns of responses across multiple variables because they are associated with a latent variable (the factor).
Types:
- Exploratory: What is the structure of the test?
- Confirmatory: Can you confirm the assumed structure of the test?

Validity

Determines if the test measures what it is supposed to measure.
Factor analysis is one of the methods that can demonstrate internal structure validity.

Predictive Validity

The quality of a test in predicting future performance.
Factors that impact predictive validity:
- Quality of data (criterion measures, range restriction).
- Relation to existing information.
- Context in which the test is used.
High predictive validity doesn't necessarily lead to better decisions.

Range Restriction

Occurs when only a specific range of scores is available for analysis.
Often encountered in selection procedures.
Example: Only selecting candidates with high test scores will limit the range of scores, leading to an underestimation of the test's predictive validity.
The range restriction reduces the spread of scores in both the predictor (X) and the criterion (Y).

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Description

Explore the key theories of intelligence, including Cattell's Gf-Gc theory and Carroll's Three-Stratum Theory. Understand the stages of cognitive development as proposed by Jean Piaget and how intelligence is structured. This quiz will test your knowledge on these fundamental concepts in psychology.