Read the text “The Intelligence Quotient (IQ)”. Use dictionary if necessary.

The first intelligence tests were used in the field of psychology. The scales designed by Binet and Simon were the first intelligent tests that became widely accepted at the beginning of the 20^th century. The Alpha and Beta army tests that were used in World war l to assess military personnel became very popular.

In recent years, the Wechsler scales are the most widely used instruments in the field of psychology for measuring intelligence. The designer of these tests, Wechsler, published his first scale in the 1930s. He used material from the Binet Alpha and Beta tests to make his test. An important feature of his test was that when calculating the IQ, this test took age into account. In other words, in the computation of the IQ, an age-correction takes place. Because of this feature, the IQ stays constant over the life span.

IQ (intelligence quotient) = (Mental Age/Chronological Age) x 100.

The IQ of a child between the ages of 5 to 16 years old is calculated by dividing the child’s mental age by his chronological age and then multiplying the results by 100. If a 10 year old child performs mentally at a 10 year old level, the IQ is calculated as 10 divided by 10 equaling 1, and multiplying the 1 by 100 equals an IQ of 100. If the 10 year old child mentally performs at a 20 year old level, then 20 over 10 equals 2, and multiplying 2 by 100 equals an IQ score of 200.

Adult IQ is calculated by supervised IQ testing. Adult IQ scores are specific to each IQ test and are not interchangeable between one IQ test and another. When the results of IQ tests are very high percentile ratings are required instead of IQ scores.

The IQ formula (MA/CA) х100=IQ was created as an indicator, not based on mathematical rules. IQ scores are relative numbers, of no real measurement other than to show relative differences of measurable mental performance between different people taking similar tests.

An IQ tells you what your score is on a particular intelligence test, compared to your age-group. The test has a mean score of 100 points and a standard deviation of 15 points. What does this standard deviation mean? It means that 68 percent of the population score IQ within the interval 85-115 and that 95 percent of the population scores within the interval 70-130.

An easy way to interpret an IQ is to use the following rules:

- a score that is no more than one standard deviation (=15) away from 100, can be interpreted as a normal score.

- a score that is between one and two standard deviations away from 100 can be interpreted as low (70-85) or high (115-130).

- a score that is more than two standard deviations away from 100, can be interpreted as very low (lower than 70) or very high (higher than 130).

Men and women have statistically significant differences in average scores on tests of particular abilities. Studies also illustrate consistently greater variance in the performance of men compared to that of women (i.e., men are more represented at the extremes of performance).

IQ tests are weight on these sex differences so there is no bias on average in favor of one sex; however the consistent difference in variance is not removed. Some people have still made claims that one sex has a higher intelligence than the other. For instance claims that men tend to outperform women on average by 3-4 IQ points are based on tests where a ’correction’ is made for different maturation ages.

III. 1. Answer the questions:

1) What is IQ?

2) When was it founded?

3) Who invented IQ tests?

4) What is the formula of IQ score?

5) What conditions should be taken into account for IQ scores?

6) What does IQ score mean? How can it be interpreted?

7) What else do you think IQ tests could be used for?

8) What kind of questions do the IQ tests consist of?

9) What are the reasons for the use of IQ tests?

10) Have you ever tried to fill in an IQ test? What was the score?

11) Are IQ tests widely used in Russia?

Which word in the list is odd?

1) intelligence test, Alpha and Beta army tests, scales, Binet and Simon;

2) age-correction, to stays constant over the life span, to take age into account, Alpha and Beta army tests;

3) scales that are used in the field of psychology for measuring intelligence, scales based on sex differences, Wechsler scales;

4) normal score, low or high score, lower than 70, very high score, sex differences.

3. Say whether the following statements are true or false:

1) IQ tests are widely used all around the world.

2) IQ score changes within the life span.

3) The first intelligent tests that became widely used were accepted at the beginning of the 20^th century.

4) The Wechsler scales are the most widely used instruments in the field of psychology for measuring intelligence.

5) Age-correction takes place for IQ scores.

6) The IQ of a child between the ages of 15 to 16 years old is calculated by dividing the child’s mental age by his chronological age and then multiplying the results by 100.

7) The test has a mean score of 100 points and a standard deviation of 30 points.

8) Men and women have statistically significant differences in scores on tests of particular abilities.

9) IQ tests are weight on sex differences so there is no bias on average in favor of one sex.

4. Continue the sentences:

1) The first intelligence tests…

2) The scales…

3) In recent years…

4) The IQ of a child…

5) Adult IQ is…

6) The IQ formula…

7) An IQ tells…

8) An easy way to interpret an IQ…

9) Men and women…

10) IQ tests are weight…

5. Fill in the blanks with the words from the text:

The IQ of a … between the ages of 5 to 16 years old is … by dividing the child’s … age by his … age and then … the results by 100. If a 10 year old child performs … at a 10 year old level, the IQ is … as 10 divided by 10 equaling 1, and … the 1 by 100 equals an IQ of 100. If the 10 year old child … performs at a 20 year old level, then 20 over 10 equals 2, and … 2 by 100 equals an IQ score of 200.

Adult IQ is … by supervised IQ testing. Adult IQ scores are specific to each IQ test and are not interchangeable between one IQ test and another.

An IQ tells you what your … is on a particular … …, compared to your …. The test has a … … of 100 points and a … … of 15 points. It means that 68 percent of the population score IQ within the interval 85-115 and that 95 percent of the population scores within the interval 70-130. For instance … that men tend to … women on average by 3-4 IQ points are based on tests where a ’correction’ is made for different maturation ages.

6. Give synonyms from the text:

- not to change within the life;

- to count;

- to give certain results;

- to add one number several times;

- to cut one number into several parts;

- to have almost equal mental capacities.