IQ Testing 101 (The Psych 101 Series)

Does your IQ really measure your intelligence? Is IQ genetic? Can your IQ vary? Do we get smarter or dumber as we get older? How will IQ tests be different in the future? Dr. Kaufman, a leading expert on the development of IQ tests, explores these critical questions and many more in IQ Testing 101. This book provides a brief, compelling introduction to the topic of IQ testing-its mysteries, misconceptions, and truths. This newest edition to the popular Psych 101 Series presents a common-sense approach to what IQ is and what it is not. In lucid, engaging prose, Kaufman explains the nature of IQ testing, as well as where it came from, and where it's going in the future. A quick, fun, even enlightening read, not only for psychologists and educators, but for anyone interested in the study of intelligence. The Psych 101 Series Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field. "Alan Kaufman's informal, accessible writing style never sacrifices precision. In ten short chapters, he provides an astonishing depth and breadth of information, including engaging personal anecdotes that offer fresh and revealing insights even for a very experienced professional in the field..." --John O. Willis, EdD Rivier College ""Alan Kaufman has a knack for teaching complicated psychological constructs in a way that is simultaneously sophisticated and easily understood. In "IQ Testing 101, " he applies this gift masterfully to the complex, controversial field of intelligence testing....If you want to know about intelligence testing-real IQ testing, not pop culture tests from the web or magazines, this is the book to read."" -Cecil R. Reynolds, PhD Emeritus Texas A&M University Does your IQ really measure your intelligence? Is IQ genetic? Can your IQ vary? Do we get smarter or dumber as we get older? How will IQ tests be different in the future? Dr. Kaufman, a leading expert on the development of IQ tests, explores these critical questions and many more in "IQ Testing 101." This book provides a brief, compelling introduction to the topic of IQ testing-its mysteries, misconceptions, and truths. This newest edition to the popular Psych 101 Series presents a common-sense approach to what IQ is and what it is not. In lucid, engaging prose, Kaufman explains the nature of IQ testing, as well as where it came from, and where it's going in the future. A quick, fun, even enlightening read, not only for psychologists and educators, but for anyone interested in the study of intelligence. The Psych 101 Series Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field. REVIEWS: "In IQ Testing 101, Alan Kaufman gives a well thought out, articulate account of the historical development of intelligent IQ testing. It provides non-expert readers, like me, with a better understanding of IQ and its important clinical ramifications. Kaufman's engaging style of presentation makes you feel as if you are in the thick of this important field of inquiry..." --Jeffrey W. Kirsch, PhD Executive Director Reuben H. Fleet Science Center "This impressive book is replete with meaningful material, wonderful anecdotes, excellent examples, profound truths, and solid empiricism, backed an abundance of clinical experience....This volume provides an outstanding introduction and a great refresher for readers interested in the topic of intelligence and its assessment." --Bruce A. Bracken, PhD The College of William & Mary "Professor Kaufman has made this remarkably accessible for all readers by using a personal journey of discovery style. So, whether you are a clinical psychologist or an interested lay person, 101 will tell you everything you wanted to know about IQ testing; don't be afraid to read it." --Thomas Dillon, PhD Group Senior Vice President retired Science Applications International Corporation "Dr. Kaufman's superb writing makes one feel he is in the room talking to you....Psychologists, parents, educators and research scientists could all profit from reading this most important work by a master writer and thinker." --Sara S. Sparrow, PhD Yale University Child Study Center "Kaufman provides an outstanding look at the field of intelligence and intelligence testing in a manner that is understandable and at the same time very sophisticated....with a marvelous mixture of science, good sense, his own experience as a test developer, and a dose of humor." --Jack A. Naglieri, PhD Senior Research Scientist Devereux Center for Resilient Children ""IQ Testing 101" is a must read for anyone (including IQ test administrators) looking for a clear, erudite, thought provoking, even entertaining introduction to the important issues surrounding IQ including the definitions, measurements, and development of human intelligence. So much is at stake with IQ testing and these ideas cannot be ignored. " --Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD (unrelated) Yale University, Dept of Psychology Co-Editor of "The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence" (with Robert J. Sternberg) ""[T]his book will find its way into many college syllabi, not only because of the depth and breath of its coverage, but because of the wonderful way in which Dr Kaufman is able to make a difficult, often misunderstood topic so clear and thoroughly enjoyable." " --Ron Dumont, EdD, NCSP Director of the Masters and Doctoral Programs in School Psychology Fairleigh-Dickinson University "This essentially tiny volume manages to cover the history of intelligence measurement, genetic versus environmental sources of intelligence, controversial issues in psychometrics and usage, summaries of research on cognitive profiles of specific populations, the future of the IQ construct, and measurement of cognitive abilities in general. To get that much perspective into such small print space requires an experienced and objective author and Alan Kaufman manages the task very well." Elaine Fletcher-Janzen, Ed.D., NCSP, ABPdN The Chicago School of Professional Psychology "

While the use of intelligence tests is widespread, they are not without controversy. IQ supporters see IQ measures as valid predictors of academic success, capable of proving real differences in intellectual abilities and influencing educational policy. IQ critics such as Robert Sternberg and Howard Gardner believe that IQ is a limited measure of intelligence and that a truer picture should incorporate more cultural and contextual factors.

Alan Kaufman, a fellow of four divisions of the American Psychological Association, is a centrist in this debate. As a prot?g? of David Wechsler, Kaufman is a firmer believer in the goal of IQ tests, but believes that the system of IQ testing needs serious improvements. This provocative and controversial book tracks both sides of this ongoing debate. Kaufman provides a historical overview of IQ testing, and approaches both sides of the debate with critical questions, including:

• How do heredity and our cultural environment influence our intelligence?
• How does aging affect intelligence?
• Are IQ tests irrelevant for Learning Disability Assessment?
• What Will IQ Tests Be Like in 2030?

The Psych 101 Series

Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field.

REVIEWS:

In IQ Testing 101, Alan Kaufman gives a well thought out, articulate account of the historical development of intelligent IQ testing. It provides non-expert readers, like me, with a better understanding of IQ and its important clinical ramifications. Kaufman's engaging style of presentation makes you feel as if you are in the thick of this important field of inquiry...

--Jeffrey W. Kirsch, PhD
Executive Director
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

This impressive book is replete with meaningful material, wonderful anecdotes, excellent examples, profound truths, and solid empiricism, backed an abundance of clinical experience....This volume provides an outstanding introduction and a great refresher for readers interested in the topic of intelligence and its assessment.

--Bruce A. Bracken, PhD
The College of William & Mary

Professor Kaufman has made this remarkably accessible for all readers by using a personal journey of discovery style. So, whether you are a clinical psychologist or an interested lay person, 101 will tell you everything you wanted to know about IQ testing; don't be afraid to read it.

--Thomas Dillon, PhD
Group Senior Vice President retired
Science Applications International Corporation

Dr. Kaufman's superb writing makes one feel he is in the room talking to you....Psychologists, parents, educators and research scientists could all profit from reading this most important work by a master writer and thinker.

--Sara S. Sparrow, PhD
Yale University Child Study Center

Kaufman provides an outstanding look at the field of intelligence and intelligence testing in a manner that is understandable and at the same time very sophisticated....with a marvelous mixture of science, good sense, his own experience as a test developer, and a dose of humor.

--Jack A. Naglieri, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Devereux Center for Resilient Children

IQ Testing 101 is a must read for anyone (including IQ test administrators) looking for a clear, erudite, thought provoking, even entertaining introduction to the important issues surrounding IQ including the definitions, measurements, and development of human intelligence. So much is at stake with IQ testing and these ideas cannot be ignored.

--Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD (unrelated)
Yale University, Dept of Psychology
Co-Editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence (with Robert J. Sternberg) [T]his book will find its way into many college syllabi, not only because of the depth and breath of its coverage, but because of the wonderful way in which Dr Kaufman is able to make a difficult, often misunderstood topic so clear and thoroughly enjoyable.

--Ron Dumont, EdD, NCSP
Director of the Masters and Doctoral Programs in School Psychology
Fairleigh-Dickinson University

"

While the use of intelligence tests is widespread, they are not without controversy. IQ supporters see IQ measures as valid predictors of academic success, capable of proving real differences in intellectual abilities and influencing educational policy. IQ critics such as Robert Sternberg and Howard Gardner believe that IQ is a limited measure of intelligence and that a truer picture should incorporate more cultural and contextual factors. Alan Kaufman, a fellow of four divisions of the American Psychological Association, is a centrist in this debate. As a prot?g? of David Wechsler, Kaufman is a firmer believer in the goal of IQ tests, but believes that the system of IQ testing needs serious improvements. This provocative and controversial book tracks both sides of this ongoing debate. Kaufman provides a historical overview of IQ testing, and approaches both sides of the debate with critical questions, including: How do heredity and our cultural environment influence our intelligence? How does aging affect intelligence? Are IQ tests irrelevant for Learning Disability Assessment? What Will IQ Tests Be Like in 2030? The Psych 101 Series Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field. REVIEWS: "In IQ Testing 101, Alan Kaufman gives a well thought out, articulate account of the historical development of intelligent IQ testing. It provides non-expert readers, like me, with a better understanding of IQ and its important clinical ramifications. Kaufman's engaging style of presentation makes you feel as if you are in the thick of this important field of inquiry..." --Jeffrey W. Kirsch, PhDExecutive DirectorReuben H. Fleet Science Center "This impressive book is replete with meaningful material, wonderful anecdotes, excellent examples, profound truths, and solid empiricism, backed an abundance of clinical experience....This volume provides an outstanding introduction and a great refresher for readers interested in the topic of intelligence and its assessment." --Bruce A. Bracken, PhDThe College of William & Mary "Professor Kaufman has made this remarkably accessible for all readers by using a personal journey of discovery style. So, whether you are a clinical psychologist or an interested lay person, 101 will tell you everything you wanted to know about IQ testing; don't be afraid to read it." --Thomas Dillon, PhDGroup Senior Vice President retiredScience Applications International Corporation "Dr. Kaufman's superb writing makes one feel he is in the room talking to you....Psychologists, parents, educators and research scientists could all profit from reading this most important work by a master writer and thinker." --Sara S. Sparrow, PhDYale University Child Study Center "Kaufman provides an outstanding look at the field of intelligence and intelligence testing in a manner that is understandable and at the same time very sophisticated....with a marvelous mixture of science, good sense, his own experience as a test developer, and a dose of humor."--Jack A. Naglieri, PhDSenior Research ScientistDevereux Center for Resilient Children "IQ Testing 101 is a must read for anyone (including IQ test administrators) looking for a clear, erudite, thought provoking, even entertaining introduction to the important issues surrounding IQ including the definitions, measurements, and development of human intelligence. So much is at stake with IQ testing and these ideas cannot be ignored. " --Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD (unrelated)Yale University, Dept of PsychologyCo-Editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence (with Robert J. Sternberg) "[T]his book will find its way into many college syllabi, not only because of the depth and breath of its coverage, but because of the wonderful way in which Dr Kaufman is able to make a difficult, often misunderstood topic so clear and thoroughly enjoyable." --Ron Dumont, EdD, NCSPDirector of the Masters and Doctoral Programs in School PsychologyFairleigh-Dickinson University (20090701) Does IQ really measure your intelligence? Is IQ genetic? Can your IQ vary? Do we get smarter or dumber as we get older? How will IQ tests be different in the future? Dr. Kaufman, a leading expert on the development of IQ tests, explores these critical questions and many more in "IQ Testing 101". This book provides a brief, compelling introduction to the topic of IQ testing -- its mysteries, misconceptions, and truths. This newest edition to the popular "Psych 101" series presents a common-sense approach to what IQ is and what it is not. In lucid, engaging prose, Kaufman explains the nature of IQ testing, as well as where it came from, and where it's going in the future. A quick, fun, even enlightening read, not only for psychologists and educators, but for anyone interested in the study of intelligence. -- From publisher's description