Psychology: A Self-Teaching Guide

(Nora) #1

140 PSYCHOLOGY


there is room for error whenever one makes an inference. (See the section on
validity and reliability on pages 145–147.)

(a) It is possible to bring together the concept of a general ability with the concept of
abilities.
(b) In scientific terms, intelligence has the status of a construct.

(c) Intelligence has to be from scores.
Answers: (a) specific; (b) hypothetical; (c) inferred.

The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Intelligent Is

as Intelligent Does

One of the first people to attempt to measure intelligence in an objective manner
was the English scientist Sir Francis Galton (1822–1911). Working somewhat over
one hundred years ago, he used the biometric method,meaning he tried to
measure intelligence directly by evaluating such physiological measures as strength
of grip and perceptual-motor speed. He found that there was little correlation
between these measures and intelligence. Discouraged, he discontinued his
research in this particular area of human behavior.
Only a few years after Galton abandoned the effort to measure intelligence,
Alfred Binet, director of the psychological laboratory at the Sorbonne in Paris,
was asked by France’s Minister of Public Instruction to devise a way to detect sub-
normal intelligence. The aim was to give extra instruction and assistance to chil-
dren with cognitive problems.
Binet, working in collaboration with the scientist Theodore Simon, published
the Binet-Simon Scale in 1905. This was the first modern intelligence test, and
today’s tests still use its basic method—the performance method.In brief, the
subject is asked to demonstrate the existence of intelligence by giving answers to
questions. Correct answers reflect the existence of intelligence. Informally, the
Binet-Simon Scalewas based on the premise that intelligence isas the intelli-
gent individual does.

(a) What method did Galton use in his unsuccessful attempt to measure intelligence?

(b) What method did Binet and Simon use in their successful attempt to measure intelli-
gence?
Answers: (a) The biometric method; (b) The performance method.
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