Misconceptions about the intelligence quotient (IQ)


Misconceptions about the intelligence quotient
Misconceptions about the intelligence quotient

Many people think that the higher the IQ, the smarter the person. Intelligence tests were very popular in the world at the beginning of this century. It’s still popular with us. Several books were published and many intelligence tests appeared on the Internet. However, in the same West, the popularity of such tests declined. And largely because large-scale studies have shown that the so-called intelligence quotient (IQ) is a very relative “measurement” for the human mind.

Note that IQ talks more about the speed of thought processes (testing tasks must be completed in a limited amount of time), rather than thinking ability or originality of thinking. At the same time, among the greatest thinkers, there were many “slow thinkers”, for example, Albert Einstein.

It should also be noted that, as studies have shown, remarkable success in science, art, business, and politics is often achieved by people who have a low IQ, while those with a high IQ do not achieve much success and are often helpless. . solve life’s problems.

And another interesting study. It turns out that women and men assess their IQ differently. This was reported by scientists at the Scottish University of Edinburgh. The study involved 502 women and 265 men. They had to estimate their IQ level as well as this indicator for their parents. The norm is a coefficient equal to one hundred points. It turned out that women assigned themselves an average IQ of 120 points, and men – 127.

Also, most men were sure their IQ was markedly higher than their mothers’, but they were just as smart as their fathers. In turn, women indicated that their coefficient was lower than that of the father, but equal to that of the mother. Based on such curious results, the study authors concluded that women are less likely to be successful in their careers, as they often underestimate the level of their own intelligence.

There is an opinion that if a child has a low intelligence quotient (IQ), then he is mediocre and limited. But is? Let’s try to find out.

For the first time, the IQ coefficient (the ratio of “mental” age to actual age) was applied in 1916. The IQ of a normally developing child is believed to be 100. If the IQ reaches 120-135, the child is considered gifted. If the coefficient exceeds 160, this is already a child prodigy. We also invite curious parents to take our test ” Is your child a child prodigy? “.

In the XNUMX years, American scientists began an experiment. They identified about XNUMX gifted children (according to IQ tests). He saw them all his life, until old age. Over the years, geeks have stood out less and less among their peers. The conclusion of this is as follows: the reliability of such tests is very doubtful, on the basis of them it is impossible to build long-term predictions and draw a final conclusion about the giftedness of the child.

However, in our opinion, gifted children simply do not exist in nature, and the extent to which giftedness reveals itself in something depends, first of all, on education. On this topic, we invite parents (or prospective parents) to familiarize themselves with interesting material ” 

In conclusion, we note that in our time the standard IQ test is gradually becoming a thing of the past, as scientists have not yet identified a direct relationship between success in life and the level of happiness in the IQ. And emotional intelligence (EQ) enters the arena. It is the ability to manage your emotions that is most valued in the 21st century.


Casey Harward

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