The intelligence test was invented by the French psychologist Alfred Binet 110 years ago. The term IQ was coined by the American Lewis Theremin in 1916. The test is used to assess intelligence. And criticized for failing to do so.
IQ is a measure of the mind
This is the most important myth. A person begins to consider the IQ as almost the amount of intelligence. From the point of view of psychologists, a person has a high level of intelligence, when he is able to quickly adapt in a new environment and solve new problems. Therefore, crisis managers get the most. If a person successfully overcomes all obstacles and acquires, along the way, some special knowledge that will be very useful to him in the future, he is considered smart. Mind is a relative concept; of course, it cannot be measured. And IQ is IQ, not intelligence itself.
IQ is a constant number for a person
It is believed that this is some kind of verdict: if a low coefficient was determined in childhood, it means that it will remain so for the rest of your life, although even by definition, since this is a coefficient, it can and should change. A study at the University of Michigan by Swiss scientists Suzanne Jaggy and Martin Buschkühl has shown that at least one aspect of IQ - so-called fluid intelligence, or general cognitive ability independent of a particular discipline - can increase. Fluid intelligence is based on short-term memory. The researchers assembled four groups of volunteers and gave them a certain number of audio and video images that they had to remember and reproduce. Such trainings were carried out every few days for half an hour. All volunteers had a fluid intelligence that grew after each training session.
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IQ is a racist invention
This is a purely American myth, since in the United States, accusations of racism are a common practice in social life. The misconception is widespread among representatives of national minorities, who, for some reason, received a low IQ after the test. Of course it is not. The test very much depends on the environment in which a person learns and is brought up. Low IQs in minorities are the result of discriminatory educational policies and the environment in which they grew up.
IQ is the best way to assess cognitive ability
It is the most popular and most likely the most convenient, but nothing more. Western University of Canada recently conducted the largest study in history on IQ and cognitive assessment. It was attended by 100,000 people who passed 12 tests assessing memory, attention, reasoning, ability to plan. The results showed that when assessing a wide range of cognitive abilities, it is necessary to erroneously use one factor to use at least three functions: the ability to reason, short-term memory, and verbal ability.
IQ - one-sided indicator
You can often hear: "I'm just a humanist, so I can't pass math problems." Indeed, it is a fairly common misconception that knowledge in a particular area helps to get a higher IQ. In fact, IQ is about intelligence in general, regardless of professional inclinations. Research shows that intelligence can be directed in different areas, but it comes from one mental faculty. That is, the basis of intelligence is the same - and it is measured by IQ. Roughly speaking, a smart person goes through all tasks well, while a stupid one fails most.
IQ makes no sense
Very, very many more and more often think and say that there should be no place for formalism in assessing human qualities, including intelligence. According to a number of psychologists, cognitive tests are harmful, as they create a false idea of human abilities, and often traumatize the subjects. Be that as it may, IQ remains the best way to predict intellectual potential. Moreover, it is significantly better than motivation tests, as they are easy to "fake". IQ is widely used in the world both in educational institutions and when applying for a job, so it is too early to give it up.