Intelligence is difficult to measure, as it is an unobservable aspect, in the same way as personality, love, among others. For this reason, some researchers created several intelligence tests, the best known of which are Wechsler’s work: WPPSI (from 2 to 7 years old), WISC (from 6 to 16 years old) and the WAIS (from 16 years old). We investigate all of this in this Psychology-Online article: IQ: what it is, how it is measured, test and average value.
What is IQ?
IQ is known as that number that allows measuring people’s intellectual capacity (or intelligence) and is obtained through an assessment supervised by a qualified professional. The assessment is always adapted according to the age of the individuals and, therefore, the result varies as people grow and depending on the age at the exact moment in which it is assessed, even taking into account the months (example: 22 years and 5 months). In this sense, to understand the meaning of IQ more comprehensively, it is important to know the concept “intelligence”.
What is intelligence
Intelligence is characterized as a set of skills (reasoning, planning, thinking, conflict resolution…) with which people can understand, face and resolve complex circumstances.
In addition, emotional and social intelligence and creativity must also be taken into account. Despite everything, in most tests that investigate IQ, only cognitive abilities such as verbal comprehension, memory, processing speed, fluid reasoning and visuospatial ability are assessed.
IQ: how is it measured?
IQ is measured through standardized psychological tests that are divided into different tests (visual puzzles, scales, succession of drawings,…). These tests can be used in different areas of psychology (clinical, educational, social,…) and, in addition, are useful for different functions. Below, we name these functions and some examples:
– Evaluate: evaluate students’ academic performance or any other aspect that can be determined or influenced by IQ.
– Classify: classify people intellectually, for example, based on age, school year, gender, whether people are above or below average, etc.
– Select: when you want to select a candidate for a job or university (normally access to university is determined by academic results).
– Diagnose: to diagnose illnesses or learning difficulties related to low IQ.
– Investigate: verify proposed hypotheses, typical of scientific studies and research, such as, for example, studying the relationship between cannabis consumption and the IQ of high school students.
IQ Test
The best known tests are those that are part of the Wechsler intelligence scale. This author created three tests to measure IQ, and they differ from each other due to their adaptation to the different stages. Firstly, WPPSI is the name given to the test that is intended for the pre-school and primary phase (2 to 7 years old). Second, the WISC is the test intended for children and adolescents (6 to 16 years old). Finally, the WAIS is the test intended for adults (16 to 90 years old).
IQ: average value
What is a high IQ? When is IQ considered normal? What is the average IQ? What about the IQ of a gifted person? To consider that a person is within the average, without considering themselves gifted or with high abilities, or on the contrary, without determining that there is some delay in their intellectual capabilities, their intelligence quotient (IQ) range must be between 90 and 109, the most common value being 100. Thus, we present the IQ classification or table:
– IQ range of 130 or higher: Much higher intelligence.
– IQ range between 120-129: superior intelligence.
– IQ range between 110-119: normal to superior intelligence.
– IQ range between 90-109: normal average intelligence.
– IQ range between 80-89: slow normal intelligence.
– IQ range between 70-79: borderline intelligence.
– IQ range up to 69: mental disability.
It should be noted that there is an exclusive classification for mental disabilities (considered a disability). Although some researchers also consider borderline intelligence as a possible disability.
– IQ range between 55-69: mild mental disability.
– IQ range between 40-54: moderate mental disability.
– IQ range between 25-30: severe mental disability.
– IQ range up to 24: profound mental disability.
Therefore, normal, average or average IQ is between values 90 and 109. Some frequently asked questions about IQ are as follows:
What is the highest IQ? The tests reach 160 points.
What is the IQ of gifted? Intellectual giftedness is considered based on an IQ score of 130, the cutoff point established by the World Health Organization.
Bibliography
Costa, KM (1996). Handbook of intelligence and aptitude testing. Ibeoamerican University. Mexico: Plaza and Valdés publishers. INFAD Journal of Psychology, 1(2), 365-372.
Medina, B., Mercado, E. and García, I. (2015). Limiting intellectual capacity: the great forgotten.
Salmerón, P. (2002). Evolution of concepts about intelligence. Current approaches to emotional intelligence for educational guidance. Education XXI, 5(1), 98-121.
University of Concepción. (2002). Intelligence. Psychological Assessment Techniques I.
