Eons of human history, most of it lost to rumor and legend, would elevate the human being to being something greater than beast. Humans are not the fastest animal on Earth, nor the strongest, most agile, or even the most resilient. The dominance of the human species is because of a singular trait. Homo Sapiens are the smartest creatures on the planet. As such, our intelligence both elevates and defines our peoples. This aspect of our existence is often assumed and taken for granted. However, the defining trait of humanity is also one of the least understood. The methods and development of intelligence are still a mystery to science. Neurology would look to the physical makeup of the brain. That approach examines the workings of the body’s computational methods. Staring at a computer’s mother board does not give insight into the programming. Psychology studies intelligence and personality through measured behavior and choices made by individuals and groups. The process is analogous to studying color through turning on the light in a room. The behavior is measured and reactionary to stimuli, which can be controlled, thus giving a basis for research.
Intelligence is the essence of processing stimuli, and each individual processes information slightly differently. Aspects of life have significant effects on the individual, including socioeconomic status, experience, culture, and upbringing. Each creates a pattern of behavior within the individual that alters the method by which thought behaves. The behavior of thought and the method in which information is processed lead to intelligence. As the defining trait of humanity, efforts have been made through psychological and related sciences to both quantify and measure forms of intelligence. The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of an individual is a common term in society, though not often used to differentiate individuals. As intelligence can come in many forms, the method of testing proves problematic. One fairly successful test is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, currently in the fourth edition (WAIS-IV). This assessment measures multiple forms of intelligence, and creates an amalgam of results to attempt to measure overall intelligence. Some of the measured intelligences are verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed indexes (Benson, Hulac, & Kranzler, 2010). Each of those sections is comprised of several sub-headings to measure aspects of that intelligence specifically.
A significant issue with psychology is the limited scope of research. Psychology was created by and for those of European descent, creating a limited view of intelligence. Those of varied heritages beyond that narrow scope have different forms of upbringing and culture that undoubtedly affect intelligences. Unfortunately, the ‘talking cure’ is not stressed in those cultures and applying tests without adjusting for that cultural bias could create skewed results. The purpose of this essay is to explain the dynamics of intelligence testing, and specifically the WAIS-IV. Once created, that base will be given a cautionary examination through legal documentation of cases where intelligence testing was applied poorly to set legal precedent. Finally, the work will examine the application of intelligence testing to minorities within a culture. Knowledge of the assessment, it’s use, and the potential bias will question the appropriateness of using intelligence testing with minorities.
that is the opening.
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