I.  Defining intelligence

        A.  No single agreed-upon definition (see list of definitons by experts)
 

        B.  Important elements of intelligence (survey of 1020 experts)

                1.  Abstract thinking or reasoning (99.3%)

                2.  Problem-solving ability (97.7%)

                3.  Capacity to acquire knowledge (96.0%)

                4.  Memory (some disagreement on this one -- 80.5%)

                5.  Ability to adapt to one's environment (more disagreement, 77.2%)
 

        C.  Operational definition (a definition which explains how construct is operationalized or measured)
                "A global concept that involves an individual's ability to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment." (Wechsler, 1958).
 

        D.  Different from

                1.  aptitude (person's ability in a specific domain)

                2.  achievement (what one has learned or mastered)
 
 
 
 
 

II.  History of Intelligence (Interactive Map)

A.  Charles Darwin 1809-1882   1.  Intelligence increases reproductive success (natural selection)  2.  Species should increase in intelligence over time  3.  Provided foundation for later eugenics movement

B.  Francis Galton (Darwin's cousin) 1822-1911   1.  Developed correlational method 2.  Examined nature/nurture influences on intelligence in twins, concluded heredity was more important 3.  Advocated population growth among most intelligent and some breeding restriction (the father or eugenics?)

C.  Alfred Binet  1857-1911    1.  Lawyer, self taught in psychology, studied under Charcot (hypnotist who also influenced Freud) 2.  Asked by French government to create a test to identify students who would benefit from remedial education 3.  Along with Theodore Simon, created first widely-used standardized test of intelligence, the Simon-Binet Scale

D.  Henry Goddard 1866-1957   1.  Translated the Simon-Binet into English (1908) 2.  Distributed 22,000 copies of translated test across the U.S. 3.  Set up first laboratory to study mental retardation in New Jersey:      Vineland Training School for Feebleminded Girls & Boys  4.  Strong advocate of eugenics              a.  1912 book The Kallikak Family: A Study in the Heredity of Feeble-mindedness                      1.  original article                      2.  summary and analysis              b.  Wanted to prevent the breeding of feebleminded people                         1.  hesitated to promote compulsory sterilization, even though convinced it would solve problem                         2.  suggested "colonies" where the feeble-minded could be segregated              c.  Established an intelligence testing program on Ellis Island in 1913                         1.  rejects 80% of immigrants as "feeble-minded"                                    a. 83% of all Jews                                    b. 80% of the Hungarians                                    c. 79% of the Italians                                    d. 87% of the Russians.                         2.  resulted in an exponential increase in deportations                         3.  The Immigration Restriction Act (1924-1965)                                     a.  strongly influenced by American eugenics' efforts                                    b.  restricted numbers of immigrants from undesirable racial groups (including Jews!)                                     c.  upon signing, President Coolidge commented, "America must remain American."               e.  Publicized race-group differences on Army IQ tests and claimed Americans were unfit for Democracy              f.   One of many scientists (including Galton and Terman) that inspired scientific racism movement in Europe & U.S.

E.  Robert Yerkes 1876-1956   1.  Founded first non-human primate research lab 2.  Chaired committee that created the Army Alpha and Beta intelligence tests used in U.S. during World War I

F.  Other contributors           1.  Lewis Terman       Studies of gifted children 2.  William Stern     IQ = (mental age divided by        chronological age) X 100  3.  Charles Spearman Two factor theory (g and s) 4.  David Wechsler     1.  Assessment different from testing     2.  Developed the two most popular          contemporary tests: WAIS and WISC