In this video I introduce the concept of personality and two main approaches to studying it; a nomothetic approach and an idiographic approach. I also briefly describe the history of considering biological explanations for why people differ. Don’t forget to … Read More
Racial Differences in IQ
In this video I consider racial differences in average IQ scores. This controversy reached a peak with the publication of “The Bell Curve” by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray in 1994. This led to publication of several papers on race … Read More
What Causes IQ Differences?
In this video I address the question of what causes IQ differences between people. This relates to the nature/nurture debate in considering the strength of genes and environment and these interact to shape intelligence. Twin and adoption studies allow us … Read More
IQ Variation & Distribution
In this video I describe variation in IQ scores and the distribution of IQ scores in the general population. IQ scores follow a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of about 15 points. Knowing IQ … Read More
History of Intelligence Testing
In this video I briefly describe the history of intelligence testing including the work of Sir Francis Galton, Alfred Binet, Theodore Simon, William Stern, Lewis Terman, and David Wechsler. I also discuss the concepts of mental age, ratio IQ, deviation … Read More
Reliability of Assessments
In this video I explain the difference between validity and reliability and then describe several ways of assessing reliability including split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, equivalent-form reliability, and the related concept of standardization. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to … Read More
Assessing Assessments – Types of Validity
In this video I explain how we assess the validity of assessments that have been created for a particular property (such as intelligence). There are several types of validity that can be assessed including construct validity, face validity, content validity, … Read More
Assessing Intelligence
In this video I introduce psychometrics, the study and design of testing for traits and abilities. I describe the difference between power tests and speed tests for assessing intelligence and the importance of differentiating people in order to have a … Read More
How Should We Define Intelligence?
In this video I discuss a number of ways of thinking about intelligence and determining which skills should be considered part of intelligence. I briefly describe Louis Leon Thurstone’s primary mental abilities, Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory, Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic … Read More
What is Intelligence?
In this video I introduce the concept of intelligence and the difficulties of defining and measuring intelligence. I mention the tendency toward reification when thinking about IQ scores and the importance of remembering that intelligence is a hypothetical construct, not … Read More