Inteliigence
...theoretical approaches are the differential approach: which devises psychometric tests to measure the differences in individual's abilities to solve problems. The developmental approach concerned with perception, manipulation and reasoning in the developing infant and the information processing approach that investigates the skills used in reasoning and problem solving (see Carlson and Buskist 1997). Cognitive psychologists agree that intelligence involves the capacity to acquire and remember information, recognise and relate concepts and to adapt individual behaviour in line with information (Neisser, Boodoo, Bouchard, Boykin, Brody, Ceci, Halpern, Loehlin, Perloff, Sternberg and Urbina (1996a, in Carlson, Martin and Buskist 1997). However, opinions vary as to the nature, mechanisms and even relevance of intelligence; whether intelligence is unitary or multiple factored is a topic of debate. Thus, this essay will begin with an outline of the statistical definition of intelligence with reference to factor analysis and the formation of a hierarchical structure of intelligence. The essay moves on to consider alternative theories of intelligence and then evaluates the pros and cons for each theory. The essay concludes by considering the usefulness of intelligence testing in general.
Factor analytic theories of intelligence, measure the performance scores obtained from a psychometric test e.g. the Wechsler adult intelligent scale (Weschler, 1939 in Carlson et al., 1997). Large samples scores are generally obtained and are analysed using a statistical technique called factor analysis (Carlson et al. 1987).This procedure identifies inter-correlations between tests items. The basic assumption is that comparable test scores suggest that similar factors are being measured and thus by a means of data reduction only key factors should emerge. According to Spearman (1904,...
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