Intelligence Testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Intelligence Testing - Essay Example Intelligence could be honed through concentration and discipline. Again, the degree of grasping power of an individual may give him supremacy, average or below average ratings as against those of his peers. (Measurement of Intelligence) It is possible to effectively measure intelligence by means of intelligence tests. Intelligence tests are invariably designed to evaluate traits, understanding and the candidate's grasp of any specific issue. Normally these tests are sets of objective questions to evaluate verbal, numerical and spatial abilities. They begin with simple, easy-to-answer type problems followed by more difficult ones progressively. They also vary in range and scope. For instance, there may be one set of fifty questions where the candidate is required to answer all questions within a specific time period. Then, there may be another set of fifty questions where the answers have to be correct but it is not necessary to answer all the questions. Yet another set of fifty questions may attract deduction in scores for every wrong answer. To pass the test the candidate needs to score minimum 80/100. The ultimate purpose of evaluation is served with the use of different sets of problems that help reveal the candidate's traits and capabilities for any specific reason or general assessment. (Human Intelligence) Spearman's two-factor theory of int... They begin with simple, easy-to-answer type problems followed by more difficult ones progressively. They also vary in range and scope. For instance, there may be one set of fifty questions where the candidate is required to answer all questions within a specific time period. Then, there may be another set of fifty questions where the answers have to be correct but it is not necessary to answer all the questions. Yet another set of fifty questions may attract deduction in scores for every wrong answer. To pass the test the candidate needs to score minimum 80/100. The ultimate purpose of evaluation is served with the use of different sets of problems that help reveal the candidate's traits and capabilities for any specific reason or general assessment. (Human Intelligence) 3. What are the similarities and differences between Spearman's two-factor theory of intelligence and the information processing view of intelligence (Carroll's Three-Stratum Theory) 3.1 Similarities: Both Charles Edward Spearman and John B. Carroll dwell on cognitive factors analysis in their observations. Spearman was "pioneer in factor analysis, theories of intelligence, and mental test theory. He established that these three factors were not independent of each other." (Richard H. Williams et al) Carroll's "three-stratum theory of cognitive abilities specifies the kinds of individual differences in cognitive abilities and how these differences are related to each other." (John B. Carroll) 3.2 Differences: Spearman's two-factor theory of intelligence concentrates on the reliability and validity of the intelligence tests. He used mathematical methods and psychological studies to pioneer research efforts. His work paved the way for the application of statistical methods to the study of