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IQ tests measure motivation - not just intelligence | IQ tests measure motivation - not just intelligence |
(40 minutes later) | |
Intelligence tests are as much a measure of motivation as they are of mental ability, says research from the US. | Intelligence tests are as much a measure of motivation as they are of mental ability, says research from the US. |
Researchers from Pennsylvania found that a high IQ score required both high intelligence and high motivation but a low IQ score could be the result of a lack of either factor. | Researchers from Pennsylvania found that a high IQ score required both high intelligence and high motivation but a low IQ score could be the result of a lack of either factor. |
Incentives were also found to increase IQ scores by a noticeable margin. | Incentives were also found to increase IQ scores by a noticeable margin. |
The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. | The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
Firstly, it analysed previous studies of how material incentives affected the performance of more than 2,000 people in intelligence tests. | Firstly, it analysed previous studies of how material incentives affected the performance of more than 2,000 people in intelligence tests. |
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, found that incentives increased all IQ scores, but particularly for those of individuals with lower baseline IQ scores. | Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, found that incentives increased all IQ scores, but particularly for those of individuals with lower baseline IQ scores. |
Then the same researchers tested how motivation impacted on the results of IQ tests and also on predictions of intelligence and performance in later life. | Then the same researchers tested how motivation impacted on the results of IQ tests and also on predictions of intelligence and performance in later life. |
By using data from a long-term study of 250 boys from adolescence to early adulthood, they were able to conclude that some individuals try harder than others in conditions where the stakes are low. | By using data from a long-term study of 250 boys from adolescence to early adulthood, they were able to conclude that some individuals try harder than others in conditions where the stakes are low. |
Therefore, the study says, "relying on IQ scores as a measure of intelligence may overestimate the predictive validity of intelligence." | Therefore, the study says, "relying on IQ scores as a measure of intelligence may overestimate the predictive validity of intelligence." |
Getting a high score in an IQ test requires both high intelligence and competitive tendencies to motivate the test-taker to perform to the best of their ability. | Getting a high score in an IQ test requires both high intelligence and competitive tendencies to motivate the test-taker to perform to the best of their ability. |
Dr James Thompson, senior honorary lecturer in psychology at University College London, said it had always been known that IQ test results are a combination of innate ability and other variables. | Dr James Thompson, senior honorary lecturer in psychology at University College London, said it had always been known that IQ test results are a combination of innate ability and other variables. |
"Life is an IQ test and a personality test and an IQ result contains elements of both (but mostly intelligence). | "Life is an IQ test and a personality test and an IQ result contains elements of both (but mostly intelligence). |
"If an IQ test doesn't motivate someone then that is a good predictor in itself." | "If an IQ test doesn't motivate someone then that is a good predictor in itself." |
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