Do you believe it's possible to accurately measure intelligence?

Question

I mean, like an I.Q. test. Do you think these can accurately measure someones intellect?

Answer 1

Everybody has different intelligences. You cannot determine the person's intelligence with just one test because sometimes the person can be having a bad day when they take an I.Q. test and other reasons. So basically the answer is no. But in my opinion there are other ways to measure a person's intelligence, like talking to them.

Answer 2

The bigger question should be, "What exactly is intelligence, and why is it such a preoccupation of western society?" I.Q tests are reliable at measuring something, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Also, there are so many conceptualizations of intelligence. Some theorists see it us an underlying construct that affects all cognitive functions (basically, if you are smart in one area, you should be smart in other areas). Other theorists believe that there are many types of intelligences such as emotional, verbal-linguistic, musical, bodily-kinetic, etc. Also keep in mind that the first intelligence test was devised to measure levels of retardation in children, and not to predict who would do well in college, or life for that matter. These tests along with other standardized tests such as the SAT and GRE have not been very reliable at predicting how minorities will fare in college or graduate school, and most minority groups consistently score lower than their European American counterparts on these tests. This is not because members of these groups are innately inferior, but because these tests seem to be culturally biased. You see, membership in a particular culture influences what an individual is likely to learn or fail to learn. Culture even influences the names we call the same thing. In conclusion I don't think that our current I.Q. tests are accurate at measuring (especially in minorities) whatever construct is responsible for academic potential.

Answer 3

The answer to this question depends solely upon how one defines intelligence. According to theorists like Piaget, intelligence is the ability to adapt to one's environment. Someone like Vygotsky would define intelligence as the ability to use the symbols (i.e. language & numbers) within society. Yet another perspective would be that of Howard Gardener, who believes that intelligence is not the standard three pronged approach (verbal, performance, and full scale) but a series of multiple intelligences involving 9 domains (or maybe it is 10-he keeps adapting his theory). Finally, there is the Horn-Cattel thoery which breaks intelligence down into crystallized (facts and procedures) and fluid (problem solving). It is this theory upon which intelligence tests are based.

In order to determine the best method of measuring intelligence, you must first have a working definition of what exactly intelligence is. Unfortunately, the jury is still out. You could ask this questions of five cognitive psychologists and receive 7 different answers.

That said, no matter how one defines intelligence, the standard tools used to measure IQ available to psychologists today (i.e. the Wechsler scales or the Stanford-Binet scales) are good for many things. They are not the end all-be all, and they do not promise omniscience by any stretch of the imagination. However, current IQ test are a useful tool to determine patterns in someone's abilities. They can inform an individual of his or her strengths and weaknesses from a cognitive perspective, and this can allow for remediation of weak areas.

Answer 4

Definitely not. All I.Q tests measure are other IQ tests. It's impossible to measure someones intellegence. There are too many different factors in the world that would interfere such as culture, upbringings, language, and many other different barriers that would contradict the purpose of the test. Actually, did you know that the I.Q. test was developed to test CHILDREN to see if they needed help. Somehow the original meaning was lost and became the total opposite which most definitely is not accurate. It doesn't truly measure an ADULTS intellegence.

Answer 5

It depends. I have never actually taken an I.Q. test and I really don't know how they work or if they measure overall intelligence or just certain areas but someone could be somewhat of an idiot-savant which is pretty much a stupid-genius. So if thats the case I don't see why they should be entirely accurate.

Answer 6

because of the fact the gravity of each and every particle interior the universe contributes to what you do, and that's naming in straightforward terms between the forces, there is too lots complexity to nail it down. despite the fact that, if i pass to a eating place that has Coke 0, i'm constantly going to %. that, and that i doubt that gravity is in touch. If I order a burger this is one hundred% that this is going to likely be without cheese. Edit: If my favored selection isn't obtainable, i ought to have a tricky time figuring out what to decide for somewhat, and that i could no longer have the skill to describe my selection. yet arguing approximately it in a constrained dialogue board can't get us everywhere. i'm constructive there have been total books written with regard to the subject and that i don't know how lots new records is being stumbled on on a daily basis that should effect the prognosis.

Answer 7

A really good I.Q. test will.

However... there are different type of intelligence. The I.Q. test only determines your knowledge and the capacity of your brain to solve problems.

There is another type of intelligence which you gain as you get older... through personal experience...and this intelligence is more about philosophy and psychology.

Answer 8

I think they measure someone's reasoning power. There is a better test of intelligence and that it this: how does the person function in everyday life and are they happy and successful?
There are actually nine types of intelligence, for instance, spatial intelligence, verbal intelligence, etc. You can be a genius in one way and a retard in another way.

Answer 9

That's what they are set up for! To truly test one's intelligence I would think there would be a whole series of tests looking for various things. For example they test for giftedness at schools. There are special tests and a scale they use to determine the LEVEL of giftedness...eg my son is in the 99th percentile...which is pretty high, but you qualify for gifted at the 96th percentile...so lots of smart kids don't make it...95 is still highly intelligent but they have to have a cut off somewhere.

The most brilliant minded of course are the MENSA people...so much so they have their own organization, which is easy to understand why....it must be lonely at the top when no one but your own kind really "get" you!!!!

Answer 10

No, any measures are highly arguable and all are reducible to limited factors of the human experience. Compare individuals who are highly intelligent based upon abilities to perform within certain environments, e.g., corporate culture, street culture, or warfare.