Intelligence and IQ

The course provides essential knowledge about the concept of intelligence and its significance from a broad differential-psychology perspective. Principal features of the present state and more than 150-year history of intelligence research are described, with central terms like psychometric intelligence, general intelligence (g), intelligence quotient (IQ), and cognitive ability. Students will become acquainted with the dominating models of psychometric intelligence and will discuss different definitions of intelligence. One main theme is validity and reliability, with respect to associations and causal relations between psychometric intelligence and outcomes, such as educational- and career success, physical and psychological health, and social relations. Another main theme is environmental and genetic factors that affect intelligence, and how they are related to the Flynn effect and its contrast; decreasing IQ in several countries. Critical arguments against both the concept of intelligence and its measurement are also discussed.