PS51005B: Psychology of the Person – Week 10 Lecture Notes: Intelligence – Assessment, Definitions & Structure (Goldsmiths BSc Psychology)These notes summarise Week 10 of PS51005B: Psychology of the Person, providing a comprehensive overview of how intell

Year 1 -
Undergrad
PS51005B: The
Psychology of the Person


Intelligence: Assessment, Definitions, and Structure

Session Aims
Define intelligence from multiple perspectives
Understand the history and development of intelligence theory
Explore major models (e.g., ‘g’, fluid/crystallised, multiple intelligences)
Examine how intelligence is measured and interpreted
Evaluate the reliability and validity of intelligence testing



What Is Intelligence?

Definitions vary:

Wechsler: The ability to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with one’s
environment
Cyril Burt: Innate general cognitive ability
Gardner: Problem-solving ability + creative thinking
Sternberg & Salter: Goal-directed adaptive behaviour



Historical Theorists

Galton: Heredity and statistics (but also eugenics)
Binet: Created the first intelligence test for children (mental age concept)
Terman: Developed the Stanford-Binet; used in the military and education
Spearman: Developed concept of ‘g’ (general ability)
Wechsler: Developed widely used verbal & non-verbal intelligence tests