Mensa Intelligence Tests – Predictions Lecture Notes 2026/2027) (29pages)

Psychometric tests - Mensa is the largest and oldest high iq society in the world. Jt is a non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test. Roland berrill, Australian barrister and dr. Lancelot ware a British scientist and lawyer , joined Mensa at Lincoln college, jn oxford 1946. They had the idea of forming a society for very intelligent people, the only qualification for membership being a high iq. It was a nonpolitical and free form from all other social distinctions (racial, religious). Three purposes’ : 1. To identing and to foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity; to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence; provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members. 2. To these ends the organization is also involved with programs for gifted children, literacy and scholarships and it also holds numerous gatherings including an annual summit. Christopher Hitchens, The nation (taken from Ritchie, 2015) -There is ... an usually high correlation between the stupidity of a given person and their propensity to be impressed by the measurement of IQ". Intelligence tests – predictions: Mensa IQ- the psychometric approach -Refers to the use of psychometric tests to measure intelligence or specific skills and abilities m. - assumes that intelligence is something that can be evaluated using tests (would Gardner agree?)s Standardized assessment/ Testing instructions Test duration Testing environment Use of tests not only app - interview, panel of experts, achievement More objective / scientific Systematic Replicable Reliable. The psychometric approach - Only useful if they can act as predictors -We need to look at their history and evidence •Do Psychometric Tests matter? -Education -Employment Intelligence tests – predictions: Mensa -Governmental policy -Research •Can be used in: -Selection -Diagnosis -Evaluation Measuring intelligence - •Francis Galton: One of the first to discuss in (early) scientific terms the idea of intelligence •His book "The Hereditary Genius" (1869) was one of the most influential (for better or worse) works in the early days of intelligence research -Focused on individual differences and the hereditary nature of intelligence •To measure intelligence, need to look at family history -Those who are eminent also have eminent relatives -It is not the environment but the genetic inheritance -The first to suggest twin and adoption studies as a method to measure genetic contribution