Evaluation of intelligence: functioning and tests used

These are the procedures and instruments most commonly used to measure and evaluate intelligence.

The term "intelligence" has multiple definitions, since it can give rise to different conceptions depending on the vision that each scholar has had of it, so it is not an easy task to measure it.

Among the ways of defining intelligence we can highlight the following: capacity for logic, reasoning, comprehension processing, learning, creativity, emotional, problem solving, among others.

Numerous different tests have been developed for the evaluation of intelligence, based on the author's conception of this concept, in order to assess various skills, knowledge or functions, through different psychometric tests, being generally called "intelligence tests".

In this article we will talk about the process of intelligence assessment and the most commonly used tests in this context.

How to make an assessment of a person's intelligence?

To evaluate the intelligence of human beings there is no univocal method.There are multiple types of tests that have been developed for this purpose, among which several of those that we will discuss in this article stand out.

The tests that have been developed with the aim of evaluating intelligence allow measuring more global aspects (for example, verbal comprehension), so that thanks to this type of tools psychologists can evaluate and know the potential that a person has for learning or other capabilities.

Classification of intelligence assessment instruments

The most common classification of intelligence assessment tests is that which divides them into two large groups: intelligence assessment tests based on rational methodology and those based on the factorial method, as we will see below.

1. Intelligence assessment tests based on rational methodology (from a clinical approach)

This is a set of tests for the evaluation of intelligence that have been elaborated according to the theory of the author who has developed each of the tests that are based on a rational methodology. It should be noted that this type of test is applied individually.

The main precursor of this type of test was Wechsler, who developed his tests based on Binet's theory. and whose tests are still in use today, being among the most widely used in this field of psychology. For Wechsler, intelligence is nothing more than a component of personality, and this encompasses a set of skills and abilities that people have in order to adapt to the environment in which they live.

In addition, the rational intelligence assessment tests are usually made up of a set of very diverse tasks, so that they can evaluate the various skills and abilities that make up the intelligence of human beings.

2. Intelligence assessment tests based on factorial methodology

Within this group are those tests for the evaluation of intelligence that have been elaborated based on the analysis of the have been elaborated based on factorial analysis..

Among the professionals who developed this type of tests to measure intelligence, Spearman stands out, who used factor analysis for the first time at the beginning of the 20th century in order to know the most important components of intelligence.

This type of test are usually applied collectively and are divided into two groupsOn the one hand, the g-factor tests, which carry out a single measurement (in relation to the g-factor) in order to evaluate the intellectual level; on the other hand, there are the aptitude tests, which are responsible for evaluating a series of specific skills possessed by the person being evaluated, without evaluating the general intelligence.

The tests of the factorial analysis method conceive intelligence as a set of traits that are unconnected, and not a unitary trait.

Rational tests of intelligence evaluation

Rational tests are usually based on the theory of the author who developed each one of the tests, so each one measures intelligence based on the conception that its author has of it. Below, we will briefly explain some of the most commonly used rational tests for the evaluation of intelligence.

1. Stanford-Binet intelligence assessment scales

This scale, in existence since its first version at the beginning of the 20th century, has evolved into several versions, the 4th and 5th being the most updated.

The 4th version of Stanford-Binet is composed of 15 tests to assess intelligence, divided in 4 areasShort-term memory and abstract-visual, verbal and numerical-quantitative areas. It is a test for people from 2 to 23 years of age and is based on an evaluation based on a hierarchical model at three levels: the G Factor, verbal, quantitative and abstract reasoning, and crystallized, fluid-analytical and short-term memory abilities.

The 5th version was developed in order to be able to apply this test for the evaluation of the intelligence of people up to 85 years of age, the other components being similar to those of the previous version.

2. Wechsler's intelligence assessment scales

This type of test is probably the most widely used in this field. There are several versions depending on the age group to be evaluated:

• WPPSI: age of application from 2 years and 6 months to 7 years and 7 months (latest version).
• WISC: age of application from 6 years and 11 months to 16 years and 11 months (last version).
• WAIS: age of application from 16 to 89 years (last version).

The WPPSI-IV is made up of 5 types of testsThe WISC-IV is composed of 5 types of tests: cleft key, cancellation, animal search, localization and recognition.

The WISC-V is composed of a total scale that measures verbal, visuospatial and visual measures verbal comprehension, visuospatial comprehension, fluid reasoning, working memory and speed of processingThe WISC-V is made up of two scales: primary scales, which measure the same components of intelligence as the total scale; and secondary scales, which measure quantitative reasoning, auditory working memory, nonverbal reasoning, general ability and cognitive competence.

The WAIS assesses general intellectual functioning, as well as four indicesperceptual reasoning, verbal comprehension, processing speed and working memory. This test is composed of 10 main tests and 5 optional tests, the latter being used in cases where it is necessary to expand the range of cognitive skills evaluated, in order to obtain more information about the subject evaluated.

3. Kaufman intelligence assessment scales

The Kaufman K-ABC test focuses mainly on the way of processing, making it a very useful instrument for is a very useful instrument for testing children who have learning or communication difficulties.. These tests can be applied with children from 2 years and 6 months to 12 years and 5 months of age and are composed of 4 scales and 16 subtests.

The K-BIT test is oriented to an older age range (from 4 to 90 years old) and it is a screening test and not a diagnostic test that evaluates both verbal and non-verbal intelligence. It is also composed of 2 subtests: vocabulary, to measure verbal intelligence, and matrices, to measure nonverbal intelligence.

Factorial tests for intelligence assessment

Factor tests can be divided into two categories: nonverbal and verbal tests. In the following, we will see some tests that exemplify both types of tests.

1. Non-verbal intelligence assessment tests

The following tests stand out in this category.

The Progressive Matrices Test developed by Raven.

This is one of the most widely used tests for the evaluation of intelligence, whose objective is to evaluate the general intelligence of the subjects, being designed to measure the G factor, which also explains 60% of the variance of the test and is very useful to quickly measure the level of intellectual functioning. is very useful to quickly measure the level of intellectual functioning..

The items of this test are of two types: those of gestalt behavior, in which the subject must complete a drawing that is incomplete; and those of deduction of relationships or analogical reasoning, in which the subject is presented with several alternatives and must choose the correct one.

1.2. Cattell's G Factor Test

The main characteristic of this intelligence assessment test is that it does not require any minimum level of education or training. it does not require any minimum level of education or cultural background. (there are 3 versions depending on age and/or cultural level) and is responsible for the evaluation of the G factor of intelligence, which accounts for 90% of the variability of this test.

These tests contain 4 types of tests: classification, series, matrices and conditions, providing an overall score. They allow to obtain scores in centile and as a result IQ (intelligence quotient) and mental age are calculated.

2. Verbal intelligence evaluation tests

In this category we find the following instruments.

2.1 IG-2

It is a test used to to evaluate intelligence with people who have a low cultural level and measures general crystallized intelligence.It measures general crystallized intelligence and therefore evaluates verbal comprehension, numerical reasoning and abstraction abilities. The tests used in this test are the following: verbal comprehension and speed, reasoning and perceptual accuracy.

2.2 Simple Otis

This test is used with people who have a medium-low cultural level, in order to evaluate their mental development and their ability to adapt to new adversities and their ability to adapt consistently with their thinking to new adversities. Common environment questions are used to carry out the evaluation.