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Brief History of Intelligence Testing

This document provides a brief history of intelligence testing. It discusses how Alfred Binet developed the first modern intelligence test in 1904 to identify students struggling in school. The test measured mental age compared to chronological age. Lewis Terman later adapted Binet's test and called it the Stanford-Binet, using it to calculate an intelligence quotient (IQ). David Wechsler then developed tests in the 1930s that included both verbal and nonverbal subtests and did not rely on formal schooling. Updated versions of the Stanford-Binet and Wechsler tests are now the most commonly used intelligence tests.

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603 views6 pages

Brief History of Intelligence Testing

This document provides a brief history of intelligence testing. It discusses how Alfred Binet developed the first modern intelligence test in 1904 to identify students struggling in school. The test measured mental age compared to chronological age. Lewis Terman later adapted Binet's test and called it the Stanford-Binet, using it to calculate an intelligence quotient (IQ). David Wechsler then developed tests in the 1930s that included both verbal and nonverbal subtests and did not rely on formal schooling. Updated versions of the Stanford-Binet and Wechsler tests are now the most commonly used intelligence tests.

Uploaded by

Redemption Caoile Guinto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Brief History of

Intelligence Testing

Mr. Koch
AP Psychology
Forest Lake High School
What is Intelligence?
• Mental quality involving skill at information
processing, learning from experience, problem solving,
and adapting to new or changing environments
Alfred Binet
• 1904 – French govt. appoints to committee to
identify, study and provide special ed. programs
for children struggling in school
– Designed test to look for reasoning, thinking, and
problem solving – assumed depended on intelligence
– Also assumed abilities increase with age – categorized
items by age that typical child could respond correctly
• “Mental Age” vs. “Chronological Age”
• When equal, considered “regular” intelligence

– Not intended to be applied outside of original purpose


Lewis Terman
• “Stanford-Binet” test
– Stanford psychologist Terman adapted
and revised Binet’s test
• Added items for adults and revised scoring
procedure

(Mental Age)
X 100 = IQ (Intelligence Quotient)
(Chronological Age)
• Score of 100 would be considered “average”

– Viewed intelligence as fixed, inherited entity (Binet


would have disagreed with this idea)
• This and tests used for military recruits (Army Alpha) were
used to reinforce prejudice against certain people (i.e. –
immigrants from south & eastern Europe)
David Wechsler
• Late 1930s
– Developed new tests to improve on old
tests in 3 key ways:
• Included both verbal and nonverbal subtests
• Success depended less on having formal
schooling
• Each subtest scored separately
– Special versions developed for adults
(Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – WAIS) and children
(Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – WISC)
Intelligence Tests Today
• Updated versions of Stanford-Binet and Wechsler tests are
most commonly used intelligence tests today
• IQ score no longer determined by dividing mental age by
chronological age
– Now compare total score to others at age level
• Average score = 100
• Other scores based on amount of deviation from average
– “normal curve”
– Score reflects relative standing within population of your age

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