People were interested in discovering a way to measure human intelligence since long time ago. They noticed that some people are smarter than others and didn’t know how smarter or how to measure that.
First tests to measure human intelligence were invented in the 20th century by a French psychologist Binet.
He was assigned a task to create a test that will measure the level of children’s intelligence and identify students who needed assistance and were likely to experience studying difficulties.
These tests aimed to measure what was considered a general type of intelligence, their cognitive abilities, ability to reason, think critically, adapt, etc.
Even though Binet created this test, he himself was against the claim that intelligence can be expressed with a single number. He claimed that it was a trait influenced by various factors and it changes in time.
Intelligence tests have improved a lot since then, and many different types of intelligence were created. These tests are a combination of various cognitive tasks which can be verbal, quantitative, perceptual, or conceptual.
IQ tests or intelligence tests are mostly used as a means to determine the intelligence level of children comparing it to the average intelligence level of children of their age. Also, psychologists use intelligence tests to test the skills of their candidates during recruitment processes.
Intelligence tests have result scales. In some cases, the results aren’t accurate because some unpredictable circumstances could be present during the test. They are usually related to the psychical state of the person doing the test.
If the person is unable to focus and concentrate on the test it is highly likely that the results will be inaccurate. That is why IQ tests have tolerance of score for up to 20 points.
Most people on the planet (around 50%) have an average IQ score. According to the Wechsler IQ classification, average intelligence ranges between IQ 90 and 109.
Intelligence between IQ 109 and 119 is High Average, between 120 and 129 is Superior, and IQ above 130 is considered Very Superior. Intelligence between IQ 80 and 90 is considered Low Average, between 70 and 79 is Borderline intelligence, while IQ 69 and lower is considered Extremely Low.
Important thing to mention is the fact that intelligence level can be raised through education and other activities.
Types of intelligence
Intelligence is a complex trait and consists of many other traits; that is why it is not easily defined, and it cannot be defined as only one type.
General – this type of intelligence is the oldest existing, and it represents the cognitive abilities of people, such as the ability to learn from experience, adapt, gain knowledge, reason, etc.
Multiple or specific – the idea of multiple intelligences comes from the fact that it is not easy to create a single type of intelligence because it such a complex trait which is why there must be more than one type of intelligence:
Logical – mathematical intelligence or number/reasoning smart;
Verbal – linguistic intelligence or word smart
Intrapersonal intelligence or self-smart
Musical intelligence or music smart
Interpersonal intelligence or people smart
Visual – spatial intelligence or picture smart
Naturalist intelligence or nature smart
Bodily – kinesthetic intelligence or bodily smart
Fluid – is a type of intelligence which represents the person’s skills to find a way out of problems and everyday issues. This type of intelligence lowers as the person gets older.
Crystalized – is a type of intelligence created through the person’s lifetime experiences. This intelligence increases with age.
Emotional – is a type of intelligence representing the person’s ability to understand people’s motives and desires.
Creative – is a type of intelligence which represents the person’s creative abilities. This intelligence is represented by the people’s ability to find some creative ways to deal with different issues as well as to create things.
Practical – is a type of intelligence representing the person’s ability to practically solve problem and handle different situations. This type is similar to general intelligence.
Intelligence quotient (IQ)
Intelligence is measured through intelligence tests. Their result is the person’s mental age which is than compared to the person’s chronological age to get the person’s IQ or intelligence quotient. Intelligence tests usually measure the person’s general intelligence.
Because intelligence increases with age, intelligence tests are created for different age groups through the process of standardization.
Also, because the level of intelligence tends to rise with every new generation standardization of these tests should be done regularly.
IQ is calculated using the formula: mental age ÷ chronological age x 100. If a child who is 8 years old has a mental age of a 10 year old, this child has an IQ of 125 (10 ÷ 8 x 100 = 125).
Intelligence is changeable and can be decreased or raised depending on various factors.
Genetics is very important for the level of a person’s intelligence. Children often have similar intelligence as their parents.
Besides genetics, the environment has a very important role as well. If the child is raised in poor living conditions and doesn’t have proper care and education the child’s intelligence will stagnate or decrease.
On the other side, if a child has proper care and education and good living conditions the child can develop the full potential of its intellectual capacities.
Possible causes of a bad IQ score
Many reasons can cause IQ scores to be inaccurate. The main factor is the person’s mental state during the test.
If the person who is being tested is nervous, anxious, stressed, tired, fears the outcome or is experiencing some other disturbing condition, the results won’t be accurate.
Also, learning disabilities such as dyslexia can cause the person to score badly on their IQ test.
Because these conditions cannot be easily predicted, IQ tests have a tolerance in scores of up to 20 point.
IQ 154 score meaning
IQ of 154 is a very high IQ score. You belong to a small group of people whose intelligence is Very Superior. This group has less than 2% of the world’s population.
People with such scores are considered genius and are incredibly talented and gifted.
This IQ score is a blessing, but it is also a great responsibility. You have a great potential, but that won’t do you any good if you leave it unused and waste it. You wouldn’t be the first one doing so.
Unfortunately, having potential doesn’t always mean using it and making the most of it.
Many people with a lot of talents and potential in many areas take these blessings for granted and don’t use them at all.
Many of them waste their talents because they don’t have enough ambition and willpower to use them properly for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of others.
With this IQ you have a lot of responsibility even though you might not be aware of that. Being in such a small group of people with so many qualities you have a duty to use your gifts for the good of this world.
You should try to help in any way you can to those who are less fortunate than you are. Don’t waste your talents or worse, don’t use them for dishonest purposes.
Consider this IQ as a gift from the Universe and a mission you have to make some changes in the world and improve it.
You most likely feel that you are different from others, but that doesn’t give you the right to become vain and develop a superiority complex believing that you are better than others just because you are so much smarter than most people.
Treat every person with respect that they deserve.
If that is possible, you can even try to help those who are struggling in life because their IQ is low, to raise their level of intelligence.
You can do that through some organized initiative and help programs. Your good deeds will prove that you are worth the blessings you were given.
