Cultural Analysis: Intelligence Testing

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Cultural Analysis: Intelligence testing PSY/435 December 26, 2011 Nissa Chadwick MA, LMFT Cultural Analysis: Intelligence testing Intelligence, what is it and how can we measure it? Can one IQ test be fair to all peoples across cultures? Is intelligence the same for all or is it dictated I some form or fashion by our cultural influences? Intelligence is defined as “capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc. (intelligence, n.d.).” Intelligence is essential to an individual’s ability to adapt and overcome throughout the lifespan. In psychology the measured approach to intelligence is known as the psychometric approach. This psychometric approach is based largely in the concept of measurement and definition through the ability to reduce the responses and data to a numerical value (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). This value is further complicated by the introduction of cultural influences. Armed with a distinct definition of intelligence, an understanding of how it affects the human condition and the measurement used to determine the level of acquisition; this paper will examine two of the more common forms of intelligence testing and evaluate the effectiveness of each throughout the cultural differences. Theories of intelligence Examining the “intelligence” of an individual is a daunting task. There are several points of view and many variables to consider. Intelligence seems to be subjective in its definition and use as for the last 100 years professionals have attempted to define and refine the concept and how best to measure it. From the early days of Charles Spearman to the later more accommodating days of Howard Gardner the idea of intelligence has undergone extreme examination and definition shift. Historically the examination of
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