The IQ test was developed by Hans Eysenck in the 1940s. In the fifties, the IQ test became wildly popular in Europe, and its author became a celebrity. Intellect was measured by everyone: both in offices and in a friendly circle. An expression like "He has a low IQ" has become a euphemism for the characteristic "He's a fool." Which, by the way, is far from the truth. After all, intelligence is defined as the totality of a person's cognitive abilities, which testify to his level of thinking and ability to solve complex problems. Therefore, the task of intelligence tests is to identify which type of thinking is most developed in a person - figurative, logical, verbal, etc., and also to assess his memory, level of development, attention.
The first myth. The final number you get on the IQ test is an indicator of your intelligence and ability
In fact. Eysenck's test contains several sections (so-called subtests) - for abstract, verbal, figurative thinking, etc. The subtest results are summed up, and as a result, the average value is given. Consequently, a person with outstanding imaginative thinking and, for example, a very unimportant logical final result of an IQ test will be so-so.
The second myth. The higher the IQ, the smarter its owner
In fact. There is a joke that, they say, high scores on Eysenck's test do not indicate a person's intelligence, but only about his ability to pass IQ tests well. In every joke there is only a fraction of a joke. After all, IQ scores are an indicator of a person's ability to learn something new. This is the degree to which a person can observe and understand what is happening. But they have nothing to do with practical intelligence or creativity.
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The third myth. A person with a high IQ is more likely than others to succeed in life
In fact. In the preface to one of the popular editions of the IQ test, Eysenck wrote that in order to achieve success in life, perseverance and high motivation must be applied to high IQ. A person with high intelligence, but devoid of perseverance, runs the risk of spending his whole life waiting for "his hour". Persistent in knowledge, but unmotivated by any goals, a person runs the risk of not getting up from the couch. Sadly, the best chance of success is a combination of persistence plus motivation, even if there is no pronounced intelligence.
The fourth myth. If a person's IQ is above 170, he is a genius
In fact. In professional IQ tests, the highest score is 144. A result that exceeds this number is not too detailed, falling into the values "from 150 to 160" or "from 160 to 170", etc. However, clear results are always given by Eysenck's tests posted on the Internet.
The fifth myth. You can take the test online and find out your own IQ
In fact. All tests posted on the Internet are simplified versions of Eysenck's questionnaire. And if such a test gave you the result "171" with the note "Congratulations, your genius is undeniable," be sure to add: "against the background of a group of third-graders." The occupational IQ test is reviewed by psychologists every few years and adjusted for the Flynn effect.
The sixth myth. IQ is a constant value
In fact. First, it is necessary to distinguish between real intelligence and IQ test scores. Actual abilities may vary slightly depending on mood, well-being, and even self-esteem. As for the problems from the test, you should always remember: the situation in which the test taker finds himself is somewhat artificial. A person may misunderstand poorly formulated or poorly translated into Russian (there have been such cases) conditions of the assignment. He may lose interest in the activity or be inattentive in the middle of the test. And vice versa: you can practice solving Eysenck's test problems so that they will bounce off your teeth. But this by no means will be an indicator that his intelligence has increased inexpressibly.
The seventh myth. There is a certain organization in the world, more secret than a Masonic lodge, to which people with IQ exceeding 170 belong
All of them are the princes of this world: heads of large corporations, influential politicians, well-known public figures. However, if you are a janitor with exceptionally high intelligence, this organization will sooner or later notice you, take you under its wing, and then an outstanding career is guaranteed for you.
In fact. It's even a little embarrassing to expose this myth with a humanistic background. Let those who like him continue to believe in him. In fact, there is a more democratic organization that unites people with high intelligence - Mensa International. It has nothing to do with power over this sinful world; Mensa is more involved in educational activities. But there is only one way to join this international brotherhood: to pass the notorious IQ test and show remarkable results.
Elena Uvarova