Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Pages: 161-172

Journal: Psychologische Rundschau

Volume number: 73

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0033-3042

eISSN: 2190-6238

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000597

Publisher: Hogrefe

Abstract: 
The present overview shows the high scientific quality of intelligence research and the respective intelligence tests. It discusses possible misunderstandings and one-sided reception and interpretation of research results. More specifically, we consider (1) the contrast between high predictive and criterion-related validity, on the one hand, and tow acceptance and face validity, on the other hand; (2) the presentation of results in the light of theoretical perspectives; and (3) the relevance of environmental effects and high heritability estimates. We demonstrate that maximum precision of the presentation and reception of research results is necessary for each of these three areas to avoid unbalanced perceptions, misunderstandings, and unilateral exploitation of results. The present contribution also shows that some problems of intelligence research and intelligence tests occur because of such misunderstandings. Against this background, we elaborate the contrast between the high quality of intelligence research and testing, on the one hand, and the misunderstandings and one-sided reception, on the other hand. Further, we address other points of criticism of intelligence research and intelligence tests as well as research desiderata.

Harvard Citation style: Sparfeldt, J., Becker, N., Greiff, S., Kersting, M., Koenig, C., Lang, J., et al. (2022) Understanding and Misunderstanding Intelligence and Intelligence Tests, Psychologische Rundschau, 73(3), pp. 161-172. https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000597

APA Citation style: Sparfeldt, J., Becker, N., Greiff, S., Kersting, M., Koenig, C., Lang, J., & Beauducel, A. (2022). Understanding and Misunderstanding Intelligence and Intelligence Tests. Psychologische Rundschau. 73(3), 161-172. https://doi.org/10.1026/0033-3042/a000597