• Characteristics of Intelligence
• Multi- Dimensional Intelligence
• Intelligence Tests
• Difference Between Tests
• Concept of Mental Age
• Complete CTET Syllabus

Critical Perspective of the Construct of Intelligence - Syllabus and Study Material

Intelligence

Woodworth – “Intelligence is the capacity to acquire capacity,.”
Terman – Intelligence is the ability to abstract thinking”
Spearman – “Intelligence is rational thinking.”
Binet – “Intelligence is a capacity to think well, to judge well and to be self-critical.”
Educational Dictionary – “Intelligence indicates the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.”

Characteristics of Intelligence

The various characteristics of intelligence are as under:

• Intelligence is inborn. It cannot be acquired.
• Intelligence of every person is different.
• Intelligence does not differ due to sex differences.
• Environment training and education also affect it.
• Heredity affects intelligence.
• Intelligence and knowledge are closely related.
• It helps in learning and in adjustment.
• Environment also affect it.
• It helps in solving complex problems.
• It is an ability to gather experience.
• Is an ability to do intellectual works.
• It is an ability to face social situations,
• It is a group of abilities.
• It is not knowledge but is related to knowledge.I
• t is not talent. It is basic ability and practiced skill.
• It is not memory.
• It is not a skill. Skill can be learnt but not intelligence.

Multi- Dimensional Intelligence

Theories of Intelligence: To understand the nature and form of intelligence, different theories are as under :

• Unitary Theory or Monarchic Theory
• Group Factor Theory or Oligarchic Theory
• Multiple Factor Theory or Anarchic Theory
• Two Factor Theory or Eclectic Theory
• Theory of Primary Mental Ability
• Kelley’s Theory of Intelligence

Measurement of Intelligence
We are only familiar with that intelligence of an individual which is manifested by him on an intelligence test or tests. Psychologists have devised so many such tests for the measurement of intelligence.

Classification of Intelligence Tests
1. As far-as the administrative point of view is concerned the intelligence tests can be classified into two broad categories namely –

• Individual Test: In which only one individual in tested at a time.
• Group Test: In which a group of individual is tested at a time.

2. Another way of classifying the intelligence tests is based on the form of the test. According there are two types of tests.

• Verbal tests or Language Tests: These tests make use of language. Here the instructions are given in words (either in written or oral form or both). Individuals are required to use languages as well as paper and pencil for giving the reponses. The test content is loaded with verbal material.
• Non-verbal Tests or Non-Language Tests: These tests involve such activities in which the use of language is not necessary. The use of language is eliminated from test content and response except in giving directions.

The typical examples of such non-verbal tests are Performance Tests.
The principal characteristics of these tests are given below:

• Test contents of these are in the form of material objects.
• What an’ Individuals has to do is indicated by the tester either through oral instructions or by pantomime or sings.
• Individual’s responses depends upon what he does or performs rather than by anything he says or writes.
• Generally these tests are individual tests. As Dr. Pillai observes, “These cannot be used as group tests, chiefly because it is necessary to supervise the individual testee at work and give him necessary direction.”

Intelligence Tests

It we try to have a final picture of all types of tests in intelligence we will have to keep in view both the ways of classifying them as mentioned above. All these types of intelligence tests can be represented
Diagrammatically as follows:

Difference Between Individual Tests and Group Tests

Difference Between Verbal Tests and Non-Verbal Tests

Uses of Intelligence Test

Concept of Mental Age (M.A.) and Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.)
As we have used above the terms mental age and I.Q. in the interpretation of intelligence test results, it is worth-while to know something about them.

Mental Age: The term mental age was used by Binet first of all. What is this concept can be clarified through the following examples.
Suppose there is a test Which has 100 questions (like Jalota’s test) and suppose the majority of the subjects whose age is 13 years 6 months, answer successfully 48 questions, then as individual who earns a score 48, regardless of his chronological age, will be said to have a mental age of 13 years 6 months.

Intelligence Quotient (L.Q): This tern was initiated by the German Psychologist William Stern and put into wide practice by Terman. It appeared to Stern that if a child was 6 years old (chronologically), but could do what an 8 years old normally does he would be 8/6 or 1.33 as bright as the average. And in this ways, he made the ratio M.A./C.A., Measure of the rate of mental development of an individual. The ratio was given the name of Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.) – To do away with the decimal point the ratio was again multiplied by 100 and thus the formula to calculate I.Q. was known as

I.Q = $\frac{Mental\:Age (M.A)}{cronological\: Age\: (C.A)}\times 100$

Or I.Q = $\frac{Attained\: or\: Actual\: score}{Expeced\: mean\: square\: for\: Age}\times 100$

Classification of I.Q
By making use of the formula of I.Q. given by Stern, Terman Tried to classify the individual into certain specific categories on the basis of the data collected through the administration of his intelligence tests for terming them average, below average and above average as given below: