In the 1940’s, Raymond B. Cattell attempted to create “culture-free” tests of intelligence. Believing that IQ tests contain implicit biases in favor of particular cultures, he sought to partition intelligence into two components–fluid and crystallized. He described fluid intelligence as “a capacity to perceive relations and educe correlates.” In essence, this is the capacity for …
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Indeed, those who have an IQ in the gifted range march to the tune of their …
There is probably no numerical data connecting constant thinkers and IQ, because the term “constant thinker” is not easily quantified. IQ is certainly closely connected to what someone thinks about, rather than how much they think. Socrates is reputed to have said “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” However, …
Do constant thinkers generally have higher IQ’s? Read More »
It’s very difficult to assess someone’s intelligence during a brief meeting, but the longer you share conversation with that person, the more accurate will be your assessment. Here are some characteristics I have found in the very high IQ people I’ve met although these are, of course, generalizations that will have some counterexamples. High IQ …
I don’t think we should set a minimum IQ score as a qualification for public service because IQ measures only a component of intelligence. Intelligence is a complex entity that includes interpersonal skills (emotional intelligence), moral strength (dealing with adversaries outside the country) and personal characteristics such as integrity and empathy. Fortunately, studies of American …
Cultural intelligence is defined as a measure of a person’s capacity to function effectively in a multi-cultural environment. It has several components, including the ability to adapt to different cultural environments and a sensitivity to how people in other cultures think and feel. On the other hand, emotional intelligence, is the ability to manage personal …
First, we’ll provide a little background on IQ tests: In 1955, American psychologist David Wechsler published an intelligence test that became known as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). He defined intelligence as “the global capacity of a person to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with his environment.” To measure this …
First, we’ll provide a little background on IQ tests: In 1955, American psychologist David Wechsler published an intelligence test that became known as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). He defined intelligence as “the global capacity of a person to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with his environment.” To measure this …
There is a positive correlation between IQ and income, but the correlation coefficient is much less than 1, so the relationship is not causal. If the relationship were strictly causal, anyone with a higher IQ would earn a greater salary than someone of lower IQ. However, there are many university professors of very high IQ, …
Is there a positive relationship between IQ and salary? If yes, is there a causal link? Read More »
The human brain is an extremely complex organ, capable of a wide variety of different kinds of processing skills such as thinking abstractly, generalizing concepts, discerning patterns in information, understanding metaphor, articulating ideas, and drawing inferences. Each of us is different in our competence in each of these domains. IQ is a measure that gives …
