CUET UG Psychology Individual Differences Intelligence Theories Spearman Gardner Sternberg IQ Tests

Must-Know (15–20 detailed bullets)

• Charles Spearman proposed the two-factor theory of intelligence: general intelligence (g) and specific abilities (s); for example, a student scoring high across subjects suggests strong g factor.
• Spearman used factor analysis to identify the g factor, arguing that performance on any cognitive task reflects both general intelligence and task-specific skills.
• Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences, identifying eight types: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
• Gardner later considered existential intelligence as a possible ninth type, but it is not universally accepted in the original eight.
• Gardner’s theory challenges the idea of a single IQ, emphasizing that individuals may excel in one intelligence while performing poorly in others; e.g., a dancer has high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
• Robert Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence includes three components: analytical (componential), creative (experiential), and practical (contextual).
• Analytical intelligence involves problem-solving and academic tasks, such as scoring well on standardized tests.
• Creative intelligence is shown when adapting to new situations or generating novel ideas, e.g., inventing a new game.
• Practical intelligence refers to “street smarts” or the ability to manage everyday tasks effectively, like negotiating a deal.
• Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon developed the first intelligence test in 1905 to identify French children needing special education.
• Lewis Terman of Stanford University revised Binet’s test, creating the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales in 1916.
• The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was originally calculated as: IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100; e.g., a 10-year-old with MA of 12 has IQ = (12/10)×100 = 120.
• Modern IQ tests use deviation IQ, based on an individual’s score relative to the norm group, with mean = 100 and standard deviation = 15.
• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) measures verbal and performance (non-verbal) subtests separately and provides a full-scale IQ.
• WAIS includes subtests like vocabulary, similarities, block design, and digit span.
• David Wechsler emphasized that intelligence is the global capacity to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment.
• A normal distribution (bell curve) describes IQ scores: about 68% of people score between 85 and 115 (within one SD).
• An IQ below 70 may indicate intellectual disability, especially when accompanied by adaptive functioning deficits.
• Reliability of a test refers to consistency of results over time; validity refers to whether it measures what it claims to measure.
• Culture-fair IQ tests attempt to minimize cultural bias by using non-verbal items, such as Raven’s Progressive Matrices.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate — requires understanding of abstract theories and distinctions between them, but facts are clearly defined in NCERT.

Common CUET Traps (3 bullets)

• Trap: Believing Gardner’s multiple intelligences are measured by standard IQ tests. Avoid: Standard IQ tests focus on linguistic and logical-mathematical; Gardner’s other intelligences are not assessed.
• Trap: Confusing Sternberg’s triarchic theory with Gardner’s multiple intelligences. Avoid: Sternberg has 3 parts (analytical, creative, practical); Gardner has 8+ intelligences.
• Trap: Using old IQ formula (MA/CA×100) for modern tests. Avoid: Current tests use deviation IQ based on population norms, not mental age ratio.

Practice MCQs (5 questions)

Q1. According to Spearman, the 'g' factor in intelligence refers to:
A. General knowledge acquired through education
B. A general mental ability underlying all cognitive tasks
C. Genetic inheritance of intelligence
D. Giftedness in a specific domain

Answer: B
Explanation: Spearman’s 'g' factor is a general cognitive ability that influences performance on all intellectual tasks.
Why others fail: Option D confuses 'g' with 's' (specific ability).

Q2. Which of the following is NOT one of Gardner’s original eight intelligences?
A. Naturalistic
B. Emotional
C. Intrapersonal
D. Musical

Answer: B
Explanation: Emotional intelligence is associated with Goleman, not Gardner’s original eight.
Why others fail: Many confuse emotional intelligence with intrapersonal intelligence.

Q3. In Sternberg’s triarchic theory, the ability to deal with novel tasks and situations is part of:
A. Analytical intelligence
B. Practical intelligence
C. Creative intelligence
D. Contextual intelligence

Answer: C
Explanation: Creative intelligence involves adapting to new situations and generating novel solutions.
Why others fail: Option B (practical) is mistaken for handling real-world tasks, but novelty is key to creative.

Q4. The original formula for calculating IQ was:
A. (Chronological Age / Mental Age) × 100
B. (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100
C. (Deviation Score / Mean) × 100
D. (Raw Score / Maximum Score) × 100

Answer: B
Explanation: The ratio IQ was defined as (MA/CA)×100 by William Stern, used in early tests.
Why others fail: Option A reverses the ratio, a common calculation error.

Q5. Which test uses both verbal and performance subtests to compute a full-scale IQ?
A. Stanford-Binet Scale
B. Raven’s Progressive Matrices
C. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
D. Binet-Simon Scale

Answer: C
Explanation: WAIS includes separate verbal and performance scales to derive full-scale IQ.
Why others fail: Option A (Stanford-Binet) is often confused, but it does not divide into verbal/performance as WAIS does.

Last‑Minute Revision (15–20 one-liners)

• ⚠️ Spearman: two-factor theory — g (general) and s (specific).
• ⚠️ Gardner: 8 intelligences — linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic.
• ⚠️ Gardner’s ninth (existential) not confirmed.
• ⚠️ Sternberg: triarchic — analytical, creative, practical.
• ⚠️ Analytical = academic problem-solving.
• ⚠️ Creative = dealing with novel situations.
• ⚠️ Practical = adapting to environment (“street smarts”).
• ⚠️ Binet-Simon test: 1905, France, for school placement.
• ⚠️ Stanford-Binet: Terman, 1916, first US adaptation.
• ⚠️ Original IQ = (MA/CA) × 100 — verify from NCERT.
• ⚠️ Deviation IQ: mean = 100, SD = 15.
• ⚠️ WAIS: Wechsler, measures verbal + performance IQ.
• ⚠️ Raven’s Progressive Matrices: non-verbal, culture-fair, measures abstract reasoning.
• ⚠️ Normal IQ distribution: 68% between 85–115.
• ⚠️ IQ < 70 + adaptive deficits → possible intellectual disability.
• ⚠️ Reliability = consistency; validity = accuracy of measurement.
• ⚠️ Culture-fair tests reduce bias via non-verbal items.
• ⚠️ Wechsler defined intelligence as global capacity to act purposefully.
• ⚠️ Factor analysis used by Spearman to derive g factor.
• ⚠️ Emotional intelligence ≠ Gardner’s theory — it’s Goleman’s concept.