Year 1 -
Undergrad
PS51005B: The
Psychology of the Person
Intelligence II: Controversies and Outstanding Questions
Session Aims
Understand debates around the nature of intelligence
Explore aptitude vs. attainment
Evaluate how intelligence is assessed across cultures and populations
Examine genetic and environmental contributions
Consider controversies (e.g. group differences, age, sex, race)
Understand the Flynn Effect
Aptitude vs. Attainment
Aptitude = potential or capacity for future learning
Attainment = what has already been learned
Tests like the WIAT measure literacy/numeracy (achievement)
WISC and WAIS can predict and compare attainment
Intelligence in Different Populations
Intelligence may be culturally defined
Sternberg’s Theory of Successful Intelligence (2004): intelligence = what is adaptive in a given
culture
Non-verbal tests are often more valid cross-culturally
Special populations (e.g. hearing impairments) require flexible administration
Genetic & Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Undergrad
PS51005B: The
Psychology of the Person
Intelligence II: Controversies and Outstanding Questions
Session Aims
Understand debates around the nature of intelligence
Explore aptitude vs. attainment
Evaluate how intelligence is assessed across cultures and populations
Examine genetic and environmental contributions
Consider controversies (e.g. group differences, age, sex, race)
Understand the Flynn Effect
Aptitude vs. Attainment
Aptitude = potential or capacity for future learning
Attainment = what has already been learned
Tests like the WIAT measure literacy/numeracy (achievement)
WISC and WAIS can predict and compare attainment
Intelligence in Different Populations
Intelligence may be culturally defined
Sternberg’s Theory of Successful Intelligence (2004): intelligence = what is adaptive in a given
culture
Non-verbal tests are often more valid cross-culturally
Special populations (e.g. hearing impairments) require flexible administration
Genetic & Environmental Influences on Intelligence
