week 8 intelligence - interpretations and mechanisms & heritability issues Flashcards
(19 cards)
what does the cognitive approach say about intelligence
more neurons = smarter
3 ways of measuring brain size
- measuring skulll
- post death exam
- scan and IQ test
what does quick-witted mean literally
faster/more efficient neuronal firing - biological basis of g
inspection time task
one of two figures flash - which one did u see
simple reaction time
press a key as quickly as you can when the stimulus comes on
choice reaction time
press keys depending on which stimulus appears
what was luri’s distinction
simultaneous and sequential
what makes a good IQ test
variety of tasks = more information will converage on g
standardized procedure = reduces unwanted variation
practical considerations =
feasibillity and logistics
norm referencing = provides interpretative background
the flynn effect
new test takers always do better on the older version of test impllying they are smarter than old test takers
rise in IQ scores over generations
whats the more pessimistic view about IQ now
- flynn effect is superficial - Raven’s not that g-loaded - Raven’s Progressive Matrices (often used to measure intelligence) is said here to not be strongly related to g, or general intelligence. So rising scores on this test might not mean we’re actually smarter.
- real reaction times have long been decreasing
- modern society a victim of its own success. genes for low IQ less selected for, hence IQ has declined.
what did Eysenck find about heritability
the estimation of heritabillity of intellligence using Ridley’s way of putting together modern family, twin and adoption study concordance rates was 69% in the general population
BUT recent estimates are 40-80%, 50% more in psych
iodine deficiency in pregnancy can lead to
retardation
a longer breast-feeding is associated with
higher verbal intelligence
vitamin-mineral suppements given to children were found to show increased
non-verbal IQ scores - fluid intelligence
what order of child is the smartest
oldest
there is a negative correlation between environmental exposure to lead and mercury and…
childrens intelligence
resource dilution theory
first born - more resources & attention
so environmental and economic affect making you smarter
what is the genetic explanation as to why younger siblings are less intelligent
as men get older, they accumulalate genetic mutations so youngest child is more likely to get worse genes
