Psychology: Understanding Psychology: Student Web Activity: Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Psychological Testing

"What's Your IQ"

Introduction
Can a timed test, administered with pencil and paper, measure your intelligence? As you learned in this chapter, psychologists hotly debate the accuracy of intelligence testing. While research in this field continues, some researchers doubt that we could ever measure the complexities of intelligence. At the Monitor on Psychology Web site you can read about differing views on intelligence testing and the changes and challenges IQ testing faces today.

Destination Title: Monitor on Psychology
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Directions

Start at the Monitor on Psychology Web site.
Browse through the site, taking notes as you go.

Read through the information, and then answer the following questions.

1. What are some criticisms of IQ tests?

2. What challenge, according to Alan Kaufman, is left for the intelligence researchers of today and tomorrow?

3. How has Sternberg changed the standard IQ testing? When his IQ test, the Sternberg Triarchic Abilities Test, was administered to students, how did the results correlate with the SAT?

4. How have psychologists determined in the past whether children were learning disabled? Why should children not be identified as learning disabled based solely on this measure?

5. Unhappy with standard testing, Sternberg developed an alternative test, the STAT, which some day may serve as a supplement to the SAT. On a separate sheet of paper, list ways in which testing for creative and practical skills could be added to the SAT.