Notes

Outline

Intelligence, creativity and wisdom

Higher order cognitive function Define higher order Importance of more fundamental abilities

Intelligence Brief history Binet Stanford Univ. Measurement of intelligence in children IQ Mental age Chronological age Validity of IQ?

Early assumptions Single vs. multiple factor Permanent or changeable

Measure of adult intelligence Problem with simple IQ Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) –R General approach used similar to original

Challenges to early assumptions Single vs. multiple factor for WAIS Thurstone’s five factor theory Other multi-factor theories Permanent vs. Changeable Importance of age studies

Verbal vs. performance measures Verbal – 6 scales Information (What is the Koran) Arithmetic (Waterproof canvas is 50 cents a square yard.  How much will it cost to buy a 15 foot by 24 foot canvas) Comprehension (Why does land in the city cost more than land in the country) Similarities – (In what way are a dog and a plant alike) Vocabulary – (Define camaraderie) Digit span – (Forward and backward)

Performance measures Digit symbol substitution test

Verbal vs. performance measures Timing (timed vs. not timed) Age effects The very old

Verbal vs. performance Example of crystallized vs. fluid? Crystallized Fluid The very old

Verbal vs. performance Why the distinction Offset of losses in crystallized Similar to other distinctions? Types of memory Role of general slowing

Implications of verbal vs. performance distinctions Mandatory retirement CEO vs. air traffic controller Driving

Threats to internal validity Most studies cross sectional – Problem? Arguments against this as problem? Results of longitudinal studies Longitudinal studies the gold standard? Major problem with longitudinal Do all abilities decline

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Other threats to internal validity Test anxiety Health How to test? Compare healthy How to control Test taking strategies Artificial

Factors affecting rate of decline Initial level of intelligence Gender Spatial vs. verbal abilities Training “Head start” programs for older adults Effects of health on training Environment Importance of stimulating environment when young Importance of stimulating environment when old Anatomical basis – results of animals studies Implications Nursing homes

Factors affecting rate of decline Impending death Idea of terminal drop Crystallized intelligence and death Explanation for findings with old-old? Diagnostic value of intelligence test

Validity of intelligence tests Define Original intended use Idea of practical intelligence Example: Mary tells John she is tired of his drinking and if he comes home drunk again she will leave him.  John goes to office party comes home drunk--does Mary leave? Logical answer Importance of different perspectives

Cultural bias African Americans vs. Caucasians Asian Americans vs. Caucasians The Bell Curve Role of genetics in IQ Importance of educational environment Racial differences at age 5 Racial differences at age 16

Other intellectual abilities Reasoning Deductive – draw conclusions from set of information Example R and S do the Opposite Q and R do the Same If Q increases, what will happen to S If Q increases so will R (premise 2) and if R increases S must decrease (premise 1). Predictions about age effects? What factors important? Crystallized vs. fluid intelligence? Data

Reasoning Inductive reasoning Example: developing general theory of aging Predictions regarding age effects? What’s important Findings

Summary General statements about age and intelligence Age declines in general? Age declines in specific domains? Important factors to consider Test factors Subject factors