IQ Test in Dubai. What Is Intelligence? Introduction
Intelligence is a complex concept describing an individual’s ability to understand and process information. It includes cognitive processes like perception, learning, memory, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making.
Whether someone is intelligent is not easily visible from the outside. Therefore, opinions on intelligence are often subjective. Intelligence is measured through IQ tests, where people complete a series of tasks, helping to determine their Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
Psychologists divide intelligence into two types:
Crystallized intelligence:
Psychologists use this term “cristalized intelligence” refering to the knowledge a person has accumulated. It also includes the learned skills we acquire throughout life. It is often linked to long-term memory, though not exactly the same. Crystallized intelligence is like a person’s “encyclopedia” of learned information. This includes everything from school knowledge to basic facts we memorized. Since people keep learning, crystallized intelligence usually grows with age. When solving problems, people use their “personal encyclopedia” to recall relevant facts. For example, a doctor treating diseases rely on the learned informations aquierd trough years of treaning.
Fluid intelligence:
Fluid intelligence, unlike crystallized intelligence, involves solving new, unfamiliar problems. It includes logical reasoning, information processing speed, concentration, learning ability, memory, and working memory. For example, someone asked to sort logs by color and shape, who had never done such task before relies on fluid intelligence to figure it out. The person must use critical thinking and problem-solving to decide how to categorize the logs.
Fluid and crystallized intelligence often work together. Since fluid and crystallized intelligence are different, different tests can be applied to quantify the scors.
While crystallized intelligence improves over time, fluid intelligence peaks around age 20. It generally declines with age due to brain changes.
The History of Intelligence Test (IQ Test)
In 1904, the French Ministry of Education searched for a method to identify children with special needs. One of the first psychologists researching mental ability was Alfred Binet. In 1905, Binet and his colleague Théodore Simon developed a set of tasks to determine a child’s “intelligence age.” Binet and Simon created assignments of varying difficulties coresponding to children’s abilities at certain ages.
After Binet’s death, an American psychologist from Stanford University, Lewis Terman continued the research on the intelligence tests. In 1916, he published the Stanford-Binet intelligence test, where for the first time an intelligence quotient (IQ) was calculated.
The method of the IQ calculation was relatively simple. Terman took the intelligence age of the test takers, divided it by their biological age, and multiplied by 100. For example, a ten-year-old with an intelligence age of twelve would have an IQ of 120 (12 divided by 10 multiplied by 100).
The aim of Binet was to identify children needing additional support and not determinate which children or adults were exceptionally gifted. Binet even warned against reducing a person’s intelligence to a single number. However, today, IQ tests are often used to select gifted candidates, for example, for elite universities, or to find the best candidates for a job.
Intelligence, Genes and Environment
It has been scientifically proven that different ethnic groups score differently in IQ tests. Similarly, countries also have varying average IQ scores. There are several reasons for this, like genetics and environmental factors. Genes contribute about half to our intelligence. This is a “basic intelligence” we are born with. However, intelligence is an ability that must be developed. Such factors as where and how we grow up have a big impact on how we use it.
There is plenty of evidence showing the impact of environment on cognition globally. Most obviously, a big impact on an individual’s intelligence has the direct environment such as home, kindergarten, and school. We need an environment that challenges us mentally. IQ test intelligence cannot develop without learning to read, write, and calculate. This raises the question of what environment helps us fully develop our intellectual potential.
One thing is clear: children growing up without access to education have fewer chances in IQ tests. This also explains why IQ test results are lower in many developing countries, where school is valued differently. However, other skills may be more important. For example, school knowledge taught in the West is useless in an Alaskan icefishing village.
Intelligence is significantly influenced by genetics. However, high heritability doesn’t imply a link between genes for skin color and those for intelligence. There is absolutely no evidence that genetic differences between groups are related to the genetic basis of intelligence.
IQ Scores and Life Success
IQ tests assess how well one can acquire new information. Intelligence tests primarily measure reasoning skills, like deriving new knowledge from existing information and integrating incoming data. Intelligence tests aren’t 100% precise; results may vary by mood or test conditions. However, scores remain generally stable over time. If someone takes multiple tests, their results tend to be consistent.
IQ scores have significance, though they don’t capture a person’s full complexity. Interestingly, IQ also correlates with broader life success. A large longitudinal study conducted in Scotland tested participants at age ten, then again at sixty. The study revealed stable IQ scores over time and their connection to progress in career and life success. While intelligence doesn’t prevent life challenges, smarter people handled them better. They managed problems like personal or professional issues more effectively.
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) (Professional IQ-Test, Intelligence Test in Dubai)
There are various theories and models that aim to measure or describe intelligence, including the IQ test. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) is the professional IQ test—the “gold standard” in intellectual assessment. The test evaluates intelligence as intellectual performance. The importance of understanding intelligence as performance is that it does not really matter how intelligent the individuals are to adapt to the circumstances and environment. What truly matters is how well they utilise their intelligence.
Evaluating Intellectual Performance at CHMC Dubai
The WAIS-IV is the most widely used intelligence test for ages 16 to 90. The initial WAIS was created in 1955 by psychologist David Wechsler. It follows the Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children, WISC-IV, for ages 6 to 16. The test went through numerous modifications, concluding with the release of the current significantly revised (WAIS-IV) version in 2008.
WAIS-IV test continues the Wechsler tradition while incorporating current intelligence research findings.
New subtests, like visual puzzles, assess important facets of intelligence found in recent studies.
The distinction between verbal and performance sections has been replaced by four index scores. The four indices measure verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. This division allows a detailed assessment of a person’s intelligence.
Further analyses can be done at the subtest level for deeper insights. Profile analysis helps identify personal strengths and weaknesses, while process analyses provide valuable insights for targeted interventions.
Index Scores: Four Domains of Intelligence
The WAIS-IV test battery of ten core and five optional subtests calculates index scores, which represent four major domains of intelligence, each being of equal importance:
- Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI)
- Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI)
- Working Memory Index (WMI)
- Processing Speed Index (PSI)
Overall Scores of General Intelligence
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale assessment also works out two overall scores of general intelligence:
- Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) is a total score of general intellectual functioning. The score is based on the integrated performance of the VCI, PRI, WMI and PSI.
- General Ability Index (GAI) based only on the VCI and PRI subtests.
Research evidence indicates that general intelligence predicts job performance and overall psychological well-being.
David Wechsler believed that cognitive processes (thinking, reasoning or remembering) made up only a part of intelligence. Subsequently, he described intelligence as the ability of people to act purposefully, think reasonably and deal effectively with their circumstances.
Based on the tests’s assessment results, our clinician will provide you with feedback and recommendations.
Assessment Sessions Take Place in Person at CHMC in Dubai
The WAIS-IV intellectual assessment comprises three sessions:
- The Intake Session: Duration 60 min
- The Assessment Session: Duration 80 min
- The Feedback/Recommendation session: Duration 60 min
At the CHMC in Dubai, we offer the WAIS-IV professional IQ test which is suitable for older adolescents and adults, including those having difficulties with academic, work and daily functioning.
IQ Test in Dubai. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test. Summary
Intelligence can be described as the ability to think, learn, and solve problems. Different researchers emphasize various aspects of intelligence from the perspective of their schools of thought. Depending on the theory, intelligence is seen as a general thinking ability or a group of specific cognitive skills. However, most scientists agree that intelligence involves reasoning, planning, problem-solving, abstract thinking, understanding complex ideas, and learning from experience.
One of the most used tests to determine IQ is Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test (WAIS). The test is an individually administered intelligence assessment, popularly known as IQ-Test. WAIS test can also be helpful in evaluating intelligence and cognitive functioning in people with psychological disorders, mental illnesses, or brain injuries. Different subtests can provide insight into specific cognitive processes.
Moreover, WAIS test complements diagnoses and understanding of ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dementia. In addition, it assesses learning difficulties, cognitive impairment, cognitive decline (incl. age-related), intellectual disability and intellectual giftedness.
For more information contact CHMC, German Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychology: +971 4 4574240