IQ (IQ) as an indicator used to measure human intelligence has long become an important factor in the education and workplace fields.This test not only affects an individual's academic and career, but also affects the structure and development of the entire society to some extent.From early psychological theories to modern applications, the history of IQ testing can be traced back to the 19th century, when British statistician Francis Galton first tried standardized intelligence assessment.
IQ tests are used to assess educational orientation, intellectual ability, and job seeker suitability.
As the advancement of psychology, French psychologists Alfred Bienai and Theodore Simon jointly developed the Bienai-Simon intelligence test in 1905, marking the official birth of the IQ test.This test not only can identify children with learning disabilities in schools, but also enables the widespread use of intelligence tests, especially in the United States. This test has gradually become the most commonly used intelligence test with Louis Terman of Stanford University. one.
IQ tests are regarded as an objective measure of individual ability and are therefore widely used in schools and workplaces.For students, this may affect their subject choice and future educational opportunities; for job seekers, IQ scores are often part of the screening process, which employers use to predict candidates’ job performance and achievement potential.
According to the results of IQ tests, many companies regard IQ as a key factor when selecting candidates.
Modern IQ tests are usually calculated by converting the original score into a normal distribution, with an average score of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.Such test results predict that about two-thirds of the population scored between 85 and 115, while the percentage of IQs below 70 or above 130 is about 2%.However, the content and results of the IQ test have caused a lot of controversy, especially in terms of its mutual influence with factors such as social and economic and cultural background.
Some scholars criticize IQ testing for oversimplifying the definition of human intelligence, because intelligence is a multi-dimensional and difficult to quantify concept.Just like the theory of multiple intelligences proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner, intelligence is not limited to traditional mathematical and language abilities, but should include diverse intellectual expressions such as music, space, and introspection.In addition, IQ tests have historically been influenced by economic and political forces, resulting in their results being misinterpreted or abused.
The results of the IQ test are affected by a variety of factors, including nutritional status, family social status, etc.
With the advancement of technology, IQ testing is also evolving.Many current tests no longer provide only a single IQ score, but are comprehensively evaluated for different abilities.For example, the Webster Intelligence Scale uses more than ten subtests to comprehensively evaluate an individual's intellectual characteristics.These changes make the application of IQ tests more refined, and also promote corrections and improvements in education and the workplace.
Faced with the diversity and complexity of IQ tests, scholars and educators are looking for a more balanced way to evaluate and understand human intelligence.Advances in technology, such as big data and artificial intelligence, may lead to more impartial assessment methods and results.
However, does IQ tests really reflect a person's intellectual potential in a comprehensive way, or do there be many blind spots that need to be explored?