Question

Recall and list some benefits and criticisms of IQ testing from this week's assigned reading in your text . How might high EQ improve your interactions with others?

Answer 1

Advantages of Intelligence Tests

Intelligence tests test the Behaviors of different people thus helping the social psychologists and educators to assess and interpret the behaviors of people from different parts of the world. It would also help the person assessed to know how the person behaves in different conditions thus regulating them.

Intelligent tests also indicate the Academic Achievement of the students thus helping the educators create special curriculum and additional helping materials for slow learners and fast learners. Knowing where they stand in terms of different areas of knowledge would help the students improve those areas where they are weak.

Another important benefit of intelligent tests is the Societal Benefits where one understands different people thus accepting and acknowledging their performance levels without criticizing them for their poor performance or praising them for very good performance.

Disadvantages of Intelligence Tests

One of the most important disadvantage of the intelligence tests is Limited Potential of the tests and Stereotyping. No test can accurately assess one’s intelligence accurately because the time of the test, the duration of the test, test centre, examiner etc. can influence the test results. These results will prompt others to stereotype people who perform low by branding them as good for nothing.

Most of the intelligence tests test people on Limited Subjects such as verbal and mathematical abilities. This limit in number of subjects suggests that there are no other intelligences and rejects the multiple intelligence idea. If someone is not good in mathematics and language doesn’t mean they are not intelligent but it only suggests that they are interested and skilled at something else which should also be included in the testing.

Finally, the present IQ test scores do not have future Predictive Capabilities thus it cannot say whether the person assessed will be successful or not in the future. It’s only a present score that may be correct or may not be correct. The person might even change their career in some other subject.

Understanding how people behave and how much they could perform will help one recognize people with different abilities thus promoting equality solidarity. One can also improve one’s intelligence, skills and capabilities by understanding oneself and others thus improving the interaction without stereotyping or criticizing others.