4 ms·

I think 50 years from now we will look back on IQ tests as a terrible way of measuring intelligence.

by marknutter 16y ago

afterburner 16y ago
I wonder what MENSA thinks of it.
bradleyland 16y ago
There are quite a few who feel that way today.
- keefe 16y ago
  it's one of those things that's a terrible option that's better than any other option that we can think of
  - kingkilr 16y ago
    Well, there's Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, however it doesn't really give you a single number the way IQ does (how could it!). I'm reminded somewhat of the scene on the spaceship to Battle School from Ender's Shadow.
    - keefe 16y ago
      sure, and many types of intelligence aren't well covered. however, most modern tests have a variety of subtests that are aggregated to produce the final value. People just talk about IQ because single #s are easy to talk about http://www.assess.nelson.com/test-ind/stan-b5.html http://www.assess.nelson.com/test-ind/stan-b5.html
    - barry-cotter 16y ago
      There is next to no evidence in favour of the multiple intelligences theory. Multiple Intelligences, the Mozart Effect, and Emotional Intelligence: A Critical Review * This article reviews evidence for multiple intelligences theory, the Mozart effect theory, and emotional intelligence theory and argues that despite their wide currency in education these theories lack adequate empirical support and should not be the basis for educational practice. Each theory is compared to theory counterparts in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience that have better empirical support. The article considers possible reasons for the appeal of these 3 theories and concludes with a brief rationale for examining theories of cognition in the light of cognitive neuroscience research findings* PDF link http://lynnwaterhouse.intrasun.tcnj.edu/Multiple%20Intelligences,%20the%20Mozart%20Effect,%20and%20Emotional%20Intelligence%20A%20Critical%20Review.pdf http://lynnwaterhouse.intrasun.tcnj.edu/Multiple%20Intellige...
sbochins 16y ago
The main reason iq tests aren't so big anymore is because of the pc movement. They are the best way of testing for intelligence that we have so far.
david927 16y ago
IQ is not a measure of intelligence, just as measurements of facial features is not a measure of beauty. It's qualitative, not quantitative.
jdietrich 16y ago
If IQ is such a poor measure of general intelligence, it should be simple to establish a better method. IQ is imperfect, but it is the best we have. IQ strongly correlates with performance on almost every other test of mental ability. There is no evidence to support the 'multiple intelligences' hypothesis. All of Gardner's 'intelligences' correlate across a population. If IQ is a poor measure, devise a better test; All else is ideology, not science.

I think 50 years from now we will look back on IQ tests as a terrible way of measuring intelligence.

afterburner 16y ago

I wonder what MENSA thinks of it.

bradleyland 16y ago

There are quite a few who feel that way today.

keefe 16y ago
it's one of those things that's a terrible option that's better than any other option that we can think of
- kingkilr 16y ago
  Well, there's Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, however it doesn't really give you a single number the way IQ does (how could it!). I'm reminded somewhat of the scene on the spaceship to Battle School from Ender's Shadow.
  - keefe 16y ago
    sure, and many types of intelligence aren't well covered. however, most modern tests have a variety of subtests that are aggregated to produce the final value. People just talk about IQ because single #s are easy to talk about http://www.assess.nelson.com/test-ind/stan-b5.html http://www.assess.nelson.com/test-ind/stan-b5.html
  - barry-cotter 16y ago
    There is next to no evidence in favour of the multiple intelligences theory. Multiple Intelligences, the Mozart Effect, and Emotional Intelligence: A Critical Review * This article reviews evidence for multiple intelligences theory, the Mozart effect theory, and emotional intelligence theory and argues that despite their wide currency in education these theories lack adequate empirical support and should not be the basis for educational practice. Each theory is compared to theory counterparts in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience that have better empirical support. The article considers possible reasons for the appeal of these 3 theories and concludes with a brief rationale for examining theories of cognition in the light of cognitive neuroscience research findings* PDF link http://lynnwaterhouse.intrasun.tcnj.edu/Multiple%20Intelligences,%20the%20Mozart%20Effect,%20and%20Emotional%20Intelligence%20A%20Critical%20Review.pdf http://lynnwaterhouse.intrasun.tcnj.edu/Multiple%20Intellige...

sbochins 16y ago

The main reason iq tests aren't so big anymore is because of the pc movement. They are the best way of testing for intelligence that we have so far.

david927 16y ago

IQ is not a measure of intelligence, just as measurements of facial features is not a measure of beauty. It's qualitative, not quantitative.

jdietrich 16y ago

If IQ is such a poor measure of general intelligence, it should be simple to establish a better method. IQ is imperfect, but it is the best we have. IQ strongly correlates with performance on almost every other test of mental ability. There is no evidence to support the 'multiple intelligences' hypothesis. All of Gardner's 'intelligences' correlate across a population. If IQ is a poor measure, devise a better test; All else is ideology, not science.