IQ 106 – Score Meaning

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Human intelligence is indeed a complex question that has been raising many debates and controversies ever since. It is not easy to define it or fully to comprehend the ideas that constitute the whole complex of human intelligence.

A simple and, perhaps, fitting definition of intelligence comes from one of the geniuses of the world, the famous astrophysicists Stephen Hawking and it could be a good ground to start with.

He claimed intelligence represents our ability to adapt to changes, as simple as that. We have to agree that this point of view definitely sounds reasonable.

Berthold Brecht also claimed something similar. He believed that our intelligence is not about to make us smart, but to help us take the best out of our life, by learning through our own errors.

These ideas direct us towards opinions that label intelligence as our unique survival mechanism, perhaps.

It also opens up much wider view on intelligence. In common talk, people identify ‘being intelligent’ with ‘being smart’ and mostly in academic terms. Even being cunning or else is not as easily labeled intelligent, although it does involve ‘being smart’.

Attempts on defining intelligence are all troublesome and challenging. The question that has been a subject of debate for long is whether there was universal intelligence or many types of intelligences.

The truth is probably some middle ground; the multifold intelligence is surely an appealing idea and it could be reasoned. However, all the types of intelligence have one thing in common and it is our intellect, our mental capacity.

Let us see into the idea of multiple intelligence. According to this idea, many types of intelligence constitute one’s general intelligence or universal intelligence lies behind them all.

The approach to intelligence as multifold proposes that each individual possesses different intelligences and that he or she has their own personal advantages and disadvantages associated with each type.

Therefore, certain types are developed in some individuals to a greater degree and to a lesser in others. Each of the types could be observed and even evaluated separately, but they are all ‘bound’ by their common intellectual nature, to say so.

Universal and/or Multifold Intelligence

This multifold approach to intelligence sounds rather appealing and plausible. Let us see what types of intelligence constitute intelligence according this view.

These include linguistic or verbal intelligence, logical or mathematical intelligence, visual and spatial intelligence, physical or kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, spiritual or existential intelligence and natural or naturalistic intelligence.

Some of the types proposed do not appear as intellectual as one might think. Considering we commonly label only some of them intellectual, to say so.

However, this opens up much more flexible and wider point of view on human intelligence as it is and it definitely questions the reliability of IQ tests that, seemingly, show only a portion of general intelligence.

Moreover, other factors are considered to play an important role in manifestation of someone’s intelligence.

First things first, studies have proved a part of our intelligence is passed down to us by genes. The intelligence is inherited to some degree.

People who have never met their biological parents seem to have developed the same level of intelligence as their real parents, without ever being in touch with them.

The factor of life conditions and socio-cultural background as whole also must play a part.

The author of the first ever created IQ test, Alfred Binet, himself claimed that a single parameter is insufficient when testing and classifying results obtained through such tests.

He, however, proposed a valuable and precious new category, that of mental age, in contrast to physiological age.  The thing is that our inborn mental capacity cannot be observed alone.

Some experts claim human intelligence can be improved by dedication and effort, while others believe such thing is impossible.

Other sensitive questions have been raised, considering intelligence, such as whether the intelligence depends on race, nation, gender and any other of very sensitive categories that have to be approached with great caution, in both theory and practice.

IQ Tests and Classification

Modern IQ tests are commonly considered predictors of life success and they are meant to answer the question related to potentials of an individual in terms of educational and professional development and achievements.

This is also highly disputable ground, since actual test results do not always correspond with categories attributed.

For example, a person with an average IQ is not ‘condemned’ to never reaching a college degree or else.

The test that has been in use for long is WAIS test or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The test observes several parameters and the first version was created in fifties of the previous century.

WAIS test takes into account verbal comprehension ability, perceptual reasoning, working memory and task processing speed. In our day, the fourth edition of the test is in use, while the fifth edition is in the process and it will take place in 2020.

There have been different IQ tests as well as different scales. However, most of them agree on the median 100 for adult population, in terms of IQ scores. Standard deviation of 15 points is also set.

Classifications slightly vary, but ranges are more or less the same. Let us see into these ranges, according to WAIS test. All scores bellow 50 points are considered ‘severe retardation’.

Scores that fall under the range from 50 to 70 are labeled as ‘moderate retardation’. Those with scores from 71 to 80 are ‘borderline’ in terms of intellectual functioning.

The next range is from 80 to 89 and it is considered ‘low average. In older classifications, this one was labeled as ‘below average’. Scores that interests us here are between 90 and 109 and they are considered ‘normal’ or ‘average’.

Range between 110 and 119 is ‘high average’, 120 to 129 ‘superior intelligence’, while scores above 130 are considered high. On some scales, scores above 130 are considered those of ‘gifted’. On old scales, scores above 140 are scores of a ‘genius’.

In any case, scores higher from the average usually require more specialized tests to be refined. According to Wechsler tests, scores above 130 qualify for Mensa membership.

However, it is questionable if these labels are reliable, especially if we consider IQ tests results predictors of life success. Other factors have been proposed to play an incredibly significant role in life success, other than solely an IQ score.

Some experts claim that the factor of emotional intelligence is even more important than IQ. It is sometimes referred to as EQ.

Emotional intelligence must be an important factor, since it greatly affect the actual life functioning of a person of any score.

IQ 106 Score Meaning

What could be said about IQ score 106? This score falls under the category of ‘normal’ or ‘average’, a bit closer to ‘high average’ on most scales. What does it mean in practice?

Average scores are attributed average reasoning and average processing speed and problem solving skills. The label ‘average’ only means that you have the same score as great majority of population have. Statistics show that about 70% of people are of average score.

Statistics also show that score of 105, a point below that of 106, is a median for high school graduates. The mean for college graduates is 115.

However, this statistic does not mean that a person of 106 cannot be successful college student.

Perhaps the one with a score lower than the mean of 115 would need more time and effort to learn, but it is not impossible. If we are to trust those who claim that the IQ score is flexible, then it could even be improved through practice.

Although IQ 106 score does not qualify you for Mensa, it is a perfectly fine result. Many would love to know whether IQ score 106 was ‘good’. Well, it is a very lose question.

What does a ‘good score’ mean anyway? If we think of an average 106 score as a closer to higher average and similar to scores of most of people, we could definitely label it good. Why so?

Having the score that is similar to that of most people means you are perfectly capable of adapting to various common situations in life, understanding other people, learning from your own experience, making solid conclusions and decisions in a regular environment.

This is a good starting point to get ahead in life or, better to say, to adapt to life changes. From this point of view, yes, 106 is a ‘good’ score.

Speaking about professional or educational potentials of IQ 106 score, according to modern statistics, this score falls under a whole lot of ranges that cover all sorts of occupations, from managers and clerics to technicians and engineers.

In other words, this IQ score is perfectly fit for all kinds of life paths, despite of the labeling as average. Average scores do not mean a person presents with average skills in all fields of life.

Let us remind you of the multifold approach; one could be above average in one field and average in another. All his or hers skills, talents, intellectual capacities as seen universal cannot be that easily expressed by a single unit offered in an IQ test.

This means you should always take the result with a reserve. It may offer you some guidelines and a direction, though it shows only where you stand amongst all others tested.

What many would agree on is that the IQ score is not set in stone, especially talking about the average score.

Whether a high score could be deteriorated, is disputable. Whether and average score could be improved is disputable, as well.

However, it is a sure thing that an average score, such as that of 106 that is nearer to higher average is a determinant of one’s full intellectual capacities.

Needles to say, an IQ score could very likely affect the expectations of an individual, which is the completely new subject for a debate.

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