Cognitive Abilities Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos.

Cognitive Abilities

Dr. K. A. KorbUniversity of Jos

Outline

• Theory of Intelligence• Intelligence Testing• Influences on Intelligence• General Issues in Intelligence


Hierarchical Theory of Intelligence

General Intelligence

FluidIntelligence

CrystallizedIntelligence

GeneralMemory

InductiveReasoning

QuantitativeReasoning

SequentialReasoning

ReadingComprehension

SpellingAbility

PhoneticCoding

MemorySpan

FreeRecall

Memory

LearningAbility

Etc.


Hierarchical Theory of Intelligence

• Fluid Intelligence: Reason abstractly on novel problems– Deductive Reasoning– Inductive Reasoning– Quantitative Reasoning

• Crystallized Intelligence: Accumulation of knowledge and skill in familiar domains– Vocabulary– Information about culture


Implications

• Students who tend to do well in one class tend to do well in other classes

• We need to teach both reasoning skills and crystallized knowledge in all domains


Intelligence Testing

• Alfred Binet– Studied animal magnetism– Scientific embarrassment influenced strict empiricism– Created first intelligence test to identify children who would not

profit from instruction



• Intelligence Quotient: Mental Age

Chronological Age

05

10152025

0 5 10 15 20

125

100

75

Chronological Age

Men

tal

Ag

e

x100



• Deviation IQ: Statistical comparison to others in group

Purpose: Compare child’s performance to others in similar circumstances


Influences on Intelligence

• Genetics– Children: Genetics influences

about ½ of differences in intelligence

– Adults: Genetics tends to account for more differences

• Environment– Cultural experiences– Family environment– Schooling – Occupation

BiologyNutritionLeadParental alcohol

consumptionPerinatal Factors


Genetics vs. Environment

Environment50%

Genetics50%


Implications

• The environment has substantial influence over intelligence, so create a classroom environment that fosters high intelligence– Reading– Ask students to solve new problems– Ask students deep questions


General Issues for Intelligence

• Ubiquitous: Wide-spread• Multivariate: Multiple components• Increases with age and experience• The Flynn Effect• Is education’s most important:

– Raw material– Product


Importance of Intelligence

• Correlates with:– School performance– Years of education

• Directionality?

– Social status and income • Third variable?

– Job Performance– Juvenile Crime (Negative)

• Directionality?


Reading Vocabulary Across Grades

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Grade

Voca

bulary

.

99th %-tile

80th %-tile

50th %-tile

20th %-tile

1st %-tile


Flynn Effect: Average IQ over time

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

Year

IQ o

n the

1995

Sca

le

.


Revision

• Explain the hierarchical theory of intelligence, including the difference between fluid and crystallized intelligence.

• Describe the three major factors that influence intelligence.

• What is the difference between the Intelligence Quotient and the Deviation IQ?

• Explain why studying cognitive abilities is important for educators (hint: General Issues for Intelligence)


Cognitive Abilities Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos.

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