Why IQ Tests Dont Test Intelligence Essays - Psychometrics

Why IQ Tests Dont Test Intelligence Essays - Psychometrics Why IQ tests don't test intelligence Psychology The task of trying to quantify a person?s intelligence has been a goal of psychologists since before the beginning of this century. The Binet-Simon scales were first proposed in 1905 in Paris, France and various sorts of tests have been evolving ever since. One of the important questions that always comes up regarding these tools is what are the tests really measuring? Are they measuring a person?s intelligence? Their ability to perform well on standardized tests? Or just some arbitrary quantity of the person?s IQ? When examining the situations around which these tests are given and the content of the tests themselves, it becomes apparent that however useful the tests may be for standardizing a group?s intellectual ability, they are not a good indicator of intelligence. To issue a truly standardized test, the testing environment should be the same for everyone involved. If anything has been learned from the psychology of perception, it is clear that a person?s environment has a great deal to do with their cognitive abilities. Is the light flickering? Is the paint on the walls an unsettling shade? Is the temperature too hot or too cold? Is the chair uncomfortable? Or in the worst case, do they have an illness that day? To test a person?s mind, it is necessary to utilize their body in the process. If everyone?s body is placed in different conditions during the testing, how is it expected to get standardized results across all the subjects? Because of this assumption that everyone will perform equally independent of their environment, intelligence test scores are skewed and cannot be viewed as standardized, and definitely not as an example of a person?s intelligence. It is obvious that a person?s intelligence stems from a variety of traits. A few of these that are often tested are reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spatial relations. But this is not all that goes into it. What about physical intelligence, conversational intelligence, social intelligence, survival intelligence, and the slew of others that go into everyday life? Why are these important traits not figured into intelligence tests? Granted, normal standardized tests certainly get predictable results where academics are concerned, but they should not be considered good indicators of general intelligence because of the glaring omissions they make in the testing process. To really gauge a person?s intelligence, it would be necessary to put them through a rigorous set of real-life trials and document their performance. Otherwise the standardized IQ tests of today are testing an extremely limited quality of a person?s character that can hardly be referred to as intelligence. For the sake of brevity, I will quickly mention a few other common criticisms of modern IQ tests. They have no way to compensate for cultural differences. People use different methods to solve problems. People?s reading strategies differ. Speed is not always the best way to tackle a problem. There is often too much emphasis placed on vocabulary. Each of these points warrants individual treatment, and for more information refer to The Triarchic Mind by RJ Sternberg (Penguin Books, 1988, p18-36). It is possible to classify all the reasons that IQ tests fail at their task into two main groups. The first grouping is where the tests assume too much. Examples of this flaw are the assumption that speed is always good, vocabulary is a good indicator of intelligence, and that different test taking environments won?t affect the outcome. The second grouping comes because the tests gauge the wrong items. Examples of this are different culture groups being asked to take the same tests as everyone else, and the fact that the tests ignore so many types of intelligence (like physical, social, etc). These two groupings illustrate where the major failings of popular IQ tests occur and can be used as tools for judging others. IQ tests are not good indicators for a person?s overall intelligence, but as their use has shown, they are extremely helpful in making predictions about how a person will perform in an academic setting. Perhaps the problem comes in the name intelligence tests when it is obvious this is not what they really are. The modern IQ test definitely has its applications in today?s society but should be

Accounting Theory Question

What is positive accounting theory? how does it differ from normative accounting theory? what was/were the major dissatisfaction(s) with normative accounting theory which led to the development of a positive theory accounting? 2. Explain the meaning of an efficient market. what is meant by the following terms: weak-form efficiency, semistrong-form efficiency, strong-form efficiency? which form is the most important to accounting research? why? Explain the important of examining the impact the profit on share prices for financial analysis. can this analysis be used to make abnormal returns from the share markets? 4. Does study of the information content of profits announcements explain why firms use particular accounting practice? does it help to predict which firms will use particular accounting practices? 5. Give reasons that non-linear model relating unexpected returns to share prices would provide a more precise estimate of the earnings response coefficient (ERC). . Why would share prices have a greater reaction to the profit announcement released by small firm compared with those released by large firms? do you think this research has any implications for measurement issues in accounting or for formulation of accounting standards? 7. outline the research that has been undertaken on the impact of permanent and temporary increases in profits. why is this research important? 8. how will risk and uncertainty affect the valuation of a firm and, through this valuation model, the ERC? . The impact of profits for valuation has diminished over the years. what is the impact? how was the research adjusted to reflect this fact? 10. Outline a research project which explain how share prices are determined. would this project include factors other than accounting data? Briefly explain the outline the research of mechanistic hypothesis. what are the implications of the research? 12. Why would financial analysis be fooled by accounting numbers and provide optimistic and biased estimates of profits? an you offer a positive economic reason for their actions? 13. outline the different procedures that can be used to determine whether accounts have quality accruals or whether they create more noise. 14. what are the two main explanations for the association between the choice of high-quality auditor and a lower cost of debt or equity capital? 15. why do we have to be carefull drawing conclusions about causality based on studies using archival data?

International Marketing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

International Marketing Strategy - Essay Example The company whose headquarters are in Switzerland has embraced an international marketing program partly because its local market is too small to address its projections (Nestle.com, 2014). Nevertheless, the program has had associations with different matters. There was a boycott that was started in the 80s against the marketing of the infant formula that is manufactured by the company in the developing countries and has progressed from time to time (Multinationalmonitor.org, 1987). In the present times, the company has had to deal with issues associated with its growth through acquisitions. This paper will evaluate Nestles international marketing strategy with specific emphasis on the strategies it uses in Europe. The present set up of Nestle was established in the early 1900 when a company that has American owners and was based in Switzerland merged its operations with a company of Swiss origins (http://www.nestle.com.eg, 2014). Initially, the American company had been employing canning technology to process milk while the Swiss company had employed technology that had fruitfully marketed infant formula (Wilkins, 2004, p. 27). The company adopted the Swiss name and started a run of acquisitions as well as a global expansion program. The initial expansions, including in to the United States, took place as the First World War progressed (Encyclopedia.com, 1999). Even though the company was largely unaffected by the war particularly because of the neutrality of Switzerland, its main markets as well as sources of milk were heavily affected (Referenceforbusiness.com, 2014). This made the owners of the company to look for diversification so that they could make sure the company could survive this and other shakeups that may be faced in the market. After the war ended, the company continued its global expansion, creating new categories of products through acquisition as

MOD 5 FIN 301 CA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MOD 5 FIN 301 CA - Essay Example This paper aims to analyze the advantages and disadvantages for AMSC to forgo their debt financing and take on equity financing. AMSC can use its cash from equity financing to invest in the project or business without carrying the burden of debt on its back. In a period of financial turmoil, where businesses are faced with a credit crisis, equity financing helps in providing the necessary cash and reduces the risk of bankruptcy. By forgoing debt financing, AMSC is gaining a major advantage by using the cash to grow its business rather than paying a bank loan. Equity financing also brings new resources with itself such as valuable human capital which can provide necessary skills, contacts and experience to run the business. In addition to that, as the business grows over the period of time the investors are often willing to provide additional funding in case if it is needed so AMSC can have access to future sources of funding with the current owners. The owners of the equity can control the business without any interference from the creditors since the company will have no debt obligations. The biggest advanta ge lies in the fact that the business will be free from any interest costs thus it can boost its profits. Furthermore, during a recessionary period where there is a lack of credit in the economy, AMSC can have a chance to obtain funding through debt financing since it will have a lower Debt-to-Equity ratio. Financial institutions often extend credits to those corporations who have a lower Debt-to-Equity ratio in their balance sheets thus AMSC’s ability to borrow will be improved. Too much debt financing can tarnish the reputation of AMSC if they have already huge liabilities on their books. Finally, Corporations also collateralize their important assets due to debt financing and creditors impose certain stringent rules and regulations on the use of those collateralized assets which limits the ability of the organizations to use those assets

Development During Adolescence :: Human Development Teenagers Essays

Adolescence is the developmental stage between childhood and adulthood; it generally refers to a period ranging from age 12 or 13 through age 19 or 21. Although its beginning is often balanced with the beginning of puberty, adolescence is characterized by psychological and social stages as well as by biological changes. Adolescence can be prolonged, brief, or virtually nonexistent, depending on the type of culture in which it occurs. In societies that are simple, for example, the transition from childhood to adulthood tends to occur rather rapidly, and is marked by traditionally prescribed passage rites. to contrast this, American and European societies the transition period for young people has been steadily lengthening over the past 100 years, giving rise to an adolescent subculture. As a result of this prolonged transitional stage a variety of problems and concerns specifically associated with this age group have developed. Psychologists single out four areas that especially touch upon adolescent behavior and development: physiological change and growth; cognitive, or mental development; identity, or personality formation; and parent-adolescent relations. Physiological Change: Between the ages of 9 and 15, almost all young people undergo a rapid series of physiological changes, known as the adolescent growth spurt. These hormonal changes include an acceleration in the body's growth rate; the development of pubic hair; the appearance of axillary, or armpit, hair about two years later. There are changes in the structure and functioning of the reproductive organs; the mammary glands in girls; and development of the sweat glands, which often leads to an outbreak of acne. In both sexes, these physiological changes occur at different times. This period of change can prove to be very stressful for a pre-teen. For during this stage of life appearance is very important. An adolescent child who develops very early or extremely late can take a lot of ridicule from his or her peers. However, the time at which a girl goes through this stage and a male goes through it are different. Girls typically begin their growth spurt shortly after age 10. They tend to reach their peak around the age 12, and tend to finish by age 14. This spurt occurs almost two years later in boys. Therefore boys go through a troubling period where girls are taller and heavier than them. This awkward period occurs from ages ten and one-half to thirteen. Time is not the only difference in the pubescent period for boys and girls. In girls, the enlargement of the breasts is usually the first physical

Physicians Clash over Medical Ethics in Death Penalty Cases Essay

The news clipping is mainly about the dilemma doctors face. They are trained to save people. They did not choose their profession to punish law-violating citizens. Specifically, this topic has been given hype by Dr. Marc Stern who quit on his job of being the head doctor in the state of Washington’s prison whose responsibilities included maintaining the lethal injection table in order for the next death sentence. In the past several years, according to the article, medical ethics and death penalty has clashed. There are a number of instances in the past where doctors bailed out of the execution causing delay in the death penalty; case in point: Michael Morales. The article also stated that the problem does not stop here. This ethical dilemma against professional participation needs careful and further study. Capital punishment and justice would be difficult to serve if all doctors are concerned about ethics. Experts went as far as predicting capital punishment could end because of this ethical issues. Ethical dilemma The whole article is about ethical dilemma. Doctors do not want to continue participating in capital punishment (overseeing death penalties) as this poses ethical issues for them. Most of them belive the punishment is cruel and unusual. Also, doctors are trained to save lives and not to end it. Personal thoughts on the matter I understand that being an object to end another person’s life when one is trained to help save it could have severe impact on one’s conscience. The human world has become civilized enough over the course of history to preserve one another. It is even more emphasized in a doctor’s profession where preservation of mankind has been his chosen field and career. However, if all doctors feel this way, I can see the nation revolting. Without a trained professional in the death sentence chamber, there is no way an execution will happen. I can foresee various forms of protests because somehow, justice must be served according to the laws of the state. The person in death sentence was found guilty of an offense that demerits him his life. The family and friends of his victim/s have turned into the law for support to the injustice done to them. The law cannot fail these people because doctors cannot do their state-given responsibilities. There must be some doctors out there that are willing to do the job. I am not saying that the state must find conscienceless professional so that the death penalty can still be observed. There must be some doctors in the field that understand their moral obligations and their obligations to the state. Like it or not, the prosecution must be finished. They cannot let the convicted criminal die in the hands of non-professionals nor can they let the families and friends of the victims live in injustice.

Theme Of Identity, Bullying And Conformity In Jerry...

In the novel â€Å"Stargirl† by Jerry Spinelli the theme develops through identity, bullying and conformity. Stargirl’s identity plays a part in the theme because she is different than everybody else. Another topic that plays a role in the theme of â€Å"Stargirl† is bullying because the students bully Stargirl for being herself. The final topic that plays a role in developing the theme is conformity because Stargirl conforms to be like the others, but then she realises that she wants to be herself. There are many themes in â€Å"Stargirl†, but overall theme in the novel â€Å"Stargirl† is always be yourself. Identity shapes the theme of â€Å"Stargirl† because she isn’t happier when her peers accepted her, she is truly happy when she is herself. One of the first†¦show more content†¦This is when Leo and Kevin are filming hot seat with Stargirl and the student jury started asking some very rude things. Proving that bullying wi ll make Stargirl be someone she is not. An additional instance of bullying developing the theme is on page 165 it reads, â€Å"Classrooms, hallways, courtyard, lunchroom- everywhere I went I heard her disparaged, mocked, and slurred.† (Spinelli, page 165) This occurs after Stargirl tries to fit in but the students still bully her so a little later she decides that she should just be herself. This confirms that bullying will make Stargirl be someone she is not just to stop being bullied. Therefore this proves that bullying will force Stargirl to be someone she is not. The final topic that shapes the theme, always be yourself, in the book â€Å"Stargirl† is conformity because in Mica everybody is the same and when Stargirl gets there they want her to be like them, forcing Stargirl to conform if she wants to fit in, but Stargirl later finds that she doesn’t want to fit in, she just wants to be herself. An instance of conformity shaping the novel’s theme is o n page 10 where Leo explains â€Å"...we all wore the same clothes, talked the same way, ate the same food, listened to the same music.† (Spinelli, page 10). This is when Leo explains how everyone is the same. Proving that everybody in Mica acts the same way. Another example of conformity advancing the theme is on page 26 and Leo realises what makes Stargirl stand out â€Å"Because she wasShow MoreRelatedStargirl, A Microcosm of Societal Conformity Essay1696 Words   |  7 Pagespertained to as conformity. Conformity refers to the process by which an individuals attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours are influenced by other individuals. Except, how do these necessities manipulate a being? Social psychologists have conducted an assortment of experiments and concluded that, through a range of forms of social influence, groups can alter their members’ personality. Jerry Spinelli’s novel Stargirl depicts the physiological troubles with conformity as it’s main t heme. Furthermore it