Psych 12 - Reflection 5

Miyuki Yamaguchi Espada
Psychology Reflection #5
April, 2020
1) What issues are at the heart of intelligence testing? Name at least 3.
There are many issues that lie with intelligence testing, and the notion of attempting to apply
a numerical value to such an objective subject is often debated. With many reasonings backed
up by research, it makes one wonder why so many institutions utilize the same outdated
binary tests from over a hundred years ago.
Some examples of the issues with intelligence testing are…:
1. Racial, social, economic bias
2. IQ testing does not take diverse learning processes/styles into account when grading
tests (the test is binary, and final marks are based off of the general answers of white
upper/upper middle class males from over a hundred years ago (since the sample
group that set the standard for the test was basically homogeneous))
3. It is very “black and white”, meaning that there is not much flexibility in answers and
that the test is made and administered as a “one size fits all” which does not work,
especially in this day and age
4. Does not account for different types of intelligence such as creative intelligence,
emotional intelligence, etc.

5. Can stunt, or stop the educational growth of an individual (based on educators
preconceived notions of a students intelligence)
6. Bases a person’s intelligence off of how well they perform on a test and that score
sticks with them and defines the person, when intelligence can grow or shrink
depending on environments, level of education, how lessons are taught, etc.
7. Can contribute to eugenics, racism, sexism, classism, discrimination, etc.
2) What did studies of twins show about genes and intelligence?
The studies on twins and their levels of intelligence showed big correlations between genetics
and levels of intelligence.
Through this research, it was found that identical twins (who share the same genes) who were
raised together had the highest rate of similarity between intelligence scores. The next group
with the highest rating of similarity were identical twins who were raised apart. These
identical twins, although reared differently, had a higher similarity rate in intelligence than
fraternal twins who were raised together.
This shows that although environment does play an important role in the nurturing of one's
intelligence, genetics are significant in determining an individual’s level of intelligence.
3) What might cause cultural bias on an intelligence test?

There are many reasons as to why cultural bias exists on intelligence tests, many of which
stem from years ago.
A big factor in cultural bias is racism. Racism has—and continues—to affect the way people
perceive and treat others who are different from them culturally for centuries. When IQ tests
were being made and popularized around a hundred years ago, the world was a much
different place. Discrimination against others was rampant and that is no exception for
racism.
Most, if not all tests, were created, administered and taken by white upper/upper middle class
males. This created and set a standard for all future test takers, regardless of their
background, to fit into the narrow “white upper/upper middle class male “ results that were
laid out for them.
This can cause cultural bias by not taking into account the differences in learning/education
due to culture, and fails to address the diversity and differences in the answers that each
participant may provide that has been affected by their cultural upbringing.
4) In your opinion, what are indicators of intelligence? Explain.
In my opinion, intelligence is flexible. Itelligence can be many things at once, or a single
strong point.
Some indicators of intelligence to me are…:

- Adaptability
- Observational skills
- Inference making skills
- Diversity in thought process
- Knowledge of subject/subjects
- Awareness of surroundings and resources
- Appropriate responses to situations, people, questions, etc.
I believe that while intelligence is hard to assess, these qualities are some that I see in those
around me that I consider to be characteristics that make them quote-on-quote “intelligent”.
Being able to formulate a plan in more than one way, adapt to different environments, assess
resources, and make inferences on how best to utilize them, to me are some indicators of
intelligence other than having lots of knowledge because they show how flexible an
individual’s brain is.

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Miyuki Yamaguchi Espada

1) What issues are at the heart of intelligence testing? Name at least 3.

binary tests from over a hundred years ago.

Some examples of the issues with intelligence testing are…:

1. Racial, social, economic bias

especially in this day and age

emotional intelligence, etc.

preconceived notions of a students intelligence)

depending on environments, level of education, how lessons are taught, etc.

7. Can contribute to eugenics, racism, sexism, classism, discrimination, etc.

2) What did studies of twins show about genes and intelligence?

and levels of intelligence.

fraternal twins who were raised together.

intelligence, genetics are significant in determining an individual’s level of intelligence.

3) What might cause cultural bias on an intelligence test?

stem from years ago.

laid out for them.

4) In your opinion, what are indicators of intelligence? Explain.

In my opinion, intelligence is flexible. Itelligence can be many things at once, or a single

Some indicators of intelligence to me are…:

- Inference making skills

- Diversity in thought process

- Awareness of surroundings and resources

- Appropriate responses to situations, people, questions, etc.

around me that I consider to be characteristics that make them quote-on-quote “intelligent”.

individual’s brain is.

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