Psychological Assessment Testing and Intelligence Video with Phillip Zimbardo as Host Tape #16 32:09 - 56:20

The SAT measures developmental academic knowledge. Alfred Binet intended his early tests for use to identify measures of performance, not of innate intelligence (330-331). But educators rarely made that distinction. The use of psychological assessment grew dramatically in the early twentieth century as a tool to measure abilities of immigrants and army recruits. Later psychological assessment was thought to be useful in measuring such skills as leadership ability. Unfortunately, bogus statistics were used identify Blacks and immigrants as inferior.

Terman adapted the intelligence test as the Stanford-Binet which measured IQ. IQ = MA/CA. Terman and others believed that the IQ test could measure inner qualities. David Wexler developed an assessment test that was not dependent upon language (331-334).

What is it that the intelligence test measures? W. C. Banks, Howard University, discussed validity and reliability and argued that to have predictive validity a test must be validated on the population that one wishes to measure. Banks discussed they may tests are misused. For example, coaching eliminates the ability of tests to make meaningful discriminations. Zimbardo also discussed the self-fulfilling prophecy and cultural biases that overvalue some characteristics and undervalue other characteristics such as common sense and creativity. Tests have been developed on White men. In those instances there is no basis to know if a test fairly measures Blacks and women (332-335).

Howard Gardner, Harvard University, believes that intelligence is not a single trait. He described seven domains of intelligence (see page 337). Testing has gone as far as it can. A broader view is now needed. Robert Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence (p. 336-337) was discussed. There is very little relationship between practical and academic intelligence. His study of highly successful people showed that was distinguished them was not what they learned in college, but what they learned on the job.

Some research has looked at p300 brain waves. Smaller waves suggest that people who adjust to interruptions more quickly may be more practically intelligent.

The controversy of what intelligence is, how intelligence should be assessed, and the relative contributions of heredity and environment will continue. The only thing we can be sure of is individual differences.