Psychologists measure intelligence by using standardized tests that produce a score known as the intelligence quotient or IQ. To understand IQ tests, it's important to recognize the key principles behind their construction: validity, reliability, and standardization.

Validity refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure. An intelligence test should accurately assess intelligence rather than another characteristic, like anxiety. Criterion validity is one way to evaluate this; it looks at how well test scores predict performance in real-world situations, such as job evaluations.

Reliability means the test yields consistent results over repeated administrations. A reliable test will give the same results under similar conditions, ensuring that the measurement is stable over time. However, a test can be reliable without being valid; it might consistently measure something but not necessarily what it is supposed to measure.

Standardization involves creating uniform procedures for administering and scoring the test, along with establishing norms by testing a large, representative group. This process ensures that the test is fair and applicable across different populations, providing benchmarks for interpreting individual scores.

These principles — validity, reliability, and standardization — are crucial in ensuring that IQ tests are both meaningful and fair measures of intelligence.

From Chapter 6:

article

Now Playing

6.20 : Measures of Intelligence

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

777 Views

article

6.1 : Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

183 Views

article

6.2 : Concepts and Prototypes

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

36 Views

article

6.3 : Natural and Artificial Concepts

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

50 Views

article

6.4 : Schemata

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

24 Views

article

6.5 : Language

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

47 Views

article

6.6 : Components of Language

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

42 Views

article

6.7 : Language Development

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

135 Views

article

6.8 : Language and Cognition

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

135 Views

article

6.9 : Problem-Solving

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

62 Views

article

6.10 : Trial and Error and Algorithm

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

41 Views

article

6.11 : Heuristics

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

35 Views

article

6.12 : Reasoning

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

29 Views

article

6.13 : Decision Making

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

50 Views

article

6.14 : Critical Thinking

Thinking, Language And Intelligence

30 Views

See More

JoVE Logo

Privacy

Terms of Use

Policies

Research

Education

ABOUT JoVE

Copyright © 2025 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved