ESSAY Instructions:
To understand the validity of an instrument we must critically assess the core concepts that supposedly are being defined, measured and applied in a psychometric test. Having that in mind we have, during the second unit, critically revised the concept of "Intelligence" since the beginnings of "mental tests", in the late XIX century, until the more recent theories of Intelligence developed in late XX century (specially during the 1980s and 1990s). For that reason the purpose of the this test is to elaborate a single essay that discusses the following:
1. How certain interpretations of the concept of evolution influenced the instrumentation and measurement of "Intelligence" in the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate at the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century.
2. The problems and limitations regarding how "Intelligence" has been measured, defined and applied.
3. How recent theories, specially Robert Sternberg's and Howard Gardner's theories, have tried to solve some of these problems and limitations.
It is advisable that you take into account the following "guidelines" when elaborating your discussion:
1. Take into consideration the historical overview regarding the theory of evolution and individual differences as discussed in class and on Hergenhahn and Hanley's (2014) text. It also advisable to look at Sternberg's (2003) historical revision of some of the theories of Intelligence.
2. Focus on one of the recent theories, either Sternberg's or Gardner's, giving examples on how they prove that "Intelligence" cannot be reduced to what usual and traditional psychometric tests measure.
3. Use at least two (2) of the assigned texts.
Assigned texts (in the order they were assigned).
Hergenhahn, B.R. & Henley, T.B. (2014). Evolution and Individual Differences. In B.R. 1. Hergenhahn & Tracy B. Henley, An Introduction to the History of Psychology (279- 319). Belmont: Wadsworth.
Sternberg, R. (2003). Intelligence. In Donald K. Freedheim & Irving B. Weiner, Handbook of Psychology: Volume I, History of Psychology (135-156). New Jersey: Wiley & Sons.
Sternberg, R. (2009). The Theory of a Successful Intelligence. In James C. Kaufman & Elena L. Grigorenko (Eds.), The Essential Sternberg (71-101). New York: Springer.
Gardner, H. (1989). Multiple Intelligences Go to School: Educational Implication of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Educational Researcher 18 (8): 4-10.
Gardner, H. (1995). Reflections on Multiple Intelligences: Myths and Messages. The Phi Delta Kappan 77 (3): 200-203, 206-209