Intelligence tests
Intelligence is the ability of an individual to shape, adapt to, and choose environments where they interact. It is often measured in raw scores on conventional standardized tests that vary depending on generations and lifespans. It is understood as the part of the biology of the brain where it tests the functioning of the cortex and the general size of the brain. Charles Spearman suggests that intelligence is affected by the environment and genes, thus suggesting that it is inheritability is between 0.4 and 0.8, but this varies depending on the socioeconomic status of certain societies. Regardless, there major differences between individual and group intelligence tests and how do they affect the success of individuals involved in school, work, and other creative areas like in dramatics, art, and writing.
Differences between individual and group intelligence tests
Individual tests are administered to one person at a time and often need oral responses from the examinee. In other instances, individuals may be required to manipulate certain materials. These are preferred by psychologists in hospitals, clinics, and other settings where the clinical diagnosis can be made and in cases where they are not just a measure of intelligence, but also a mode of observing behavior and responses to standard situations. The greatest benefit of the individual intelligence tests is that the examiner has more time and resources to pay attention to each individual; they can easily observe the reaction and resources of individuals more closely. The scores of each individual do not depend on how they perform as an entire group, which may limit individuals who have a higher IQ level. The disadvantage with this method is that it takes a lot of time for examiners to test individuals as each will need time to answer each question. As a result, these types of intelligence tests tend to be more expensive.
Group tests, on the other hand, are done as mass testing measurements to groups of people at a time. They are allowed for the examination of large groups of people simultaneously through the use of administrative procedures and instructions and need the trainer to have minimal training. Group tests make it easier for examiners to complete the testing of more people than would be possible otherwise. They offer a higher validity than individual tests, and large representative samples lead to better-0established norms. However, the scores by individuals depend on their learning abilities and do not factor their creativity in various subjects. The results are also affected when examinees are anxious, tired, or unwell.
How IQ scores are related to success in school and college
According to Terman’s investigation on how genius-level IQ affected the social and emotional development of individuals, he found that those subjects with an IQ of more than 150 were not only successful in schools, they were also stronger, less accident-prone and healthier than their counterparts with normal IQ. A continuation of his studies led researchers to believe that individuals with higher IQs also made more money. In 1955, for instance, the average income was $5000, but individuals with higher IQs made as much as $33000. A large number of them had already attained professional degrees and had taken up careers as lawyers, doctors, scientists, and business executives.
In conclusion, while the importance of IQ tests cannot be discarded, it is crucial to note that it does not directly correlate with the success of life, especially where art and dramatics are concerned. In many cases, the education system favors individuals who can remember and pass tests and not those who are good at creative tasks.