Do You Consider IQ Tests a Good Measure of Intelligence?

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Aivo½so
I think IQ is a rather unnecessary concept. It is not a measure of intelligence unless "intelligence" is defined as being what IQ tests measure, and nobody knows what having a high IQ is good for.

I consistently enjoy your opinions.

[Cort Haus]

The problem is that the more you do these tests, the better you get at them. They're just like crossword puzzles, number puzzles or even playing chess. You get better with practice. People practice them, get good, get high scores then act like they're superior to everyone else.

For my current job (programming) I sat a logical deduction test, which instead of word & number puzzles described a scenario and then asked questions about what could be logically deduced from the facts, and what could not. The test catches out people who let prejudice get in front of the facts, and people doing well on the test tend to be good at programming, where dumb assumptions are no good, but cold hard analysis is essential.

I felt the test was far more appropriate for applying logic to real-world problems than the usual magazine-type puzzles that fraudulently claim to have a full definition and measure of intelligence.

[SlowwHand]

I'm not sure, but I think that was sarcasm raising it's ugly head.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
I'm not sure, but I think that was sarcasm raising it's ugly head.

Me?

Actually, for once, no. Really, every time I read a post by the dude with the one half sign I go, wow, he's obviously thought about this lot, taken several things into consideration, and not jumped to any rash conclusions.

His opinions are almost as well structured as mine. Of course, no one can compare to my cerebral magnificence, but that's neither here nor there.

[SlowwHand]

[Meticulous Man]

Sorry to cause you so much trouble, I'll see if I have the energy to go more into detail wrt IQ testing later on

[SlowwHand]

What?

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Aivo½so
Sorry to cause you so much trouble, I'll see if I have the energy to go more into detail wrt IQ testing later on

I'm serious! Completely dead ****ing serious! I like the things you post. Man. Boy who cried wolf...

[SlowwHand]

hehehe. Got you in trouble.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Aivo½so
Sorry to cause you so much trouble, I'll see if I have the energy to go more into detail wrt IQ testing later on

Well please do, because you make no sense

Let's call IQ "mutombo factor", and disregard the specifics of the way testing is done.

We still have a test which produces one single number which is correlated with:

- academic success
- income
- wealth of nations
- you name it

So it's rather against the evidence to claim IQ tests measure only the ability to solve IQ tests. They don't.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
hehehe. Got you in trouble.

I'm reminded of an episode of Star Trek in which Data is attempting to cultivate his sense of humor. Problem is, he isn't very funny. No sense of timing, poor delivery, simple jokes... Data just isn't a comedian.

So a holodeck program is written for him. He's got a stage, an audience, everything he needs to put on a show. The audience loves his jokes. They laugh at everything he says. Everything. But it becomes increasingly apparent that Data is not funny, and that the audience is simply programmed to laugh whenever he does... anything.

Dejected, Data gives it up. Moral of the story: Be yourself. No more serious and complimentary posts from me. Only mindless sarcasm.

Sigh. Haha. I should do some work now.

[MOBIUS]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
The problem is that the more you do these tests, the better you get at them. They're just like crossword puzzles, number puzzles or even playing chess. You get better with practice. People practice them, get good, get high scores then act like they're superior to everyone else.

I passed my mensa test first time with a hangover and yes, I am superior to everyone else...

[Lorizael]

My brother once dated this ugly Mensa ***** because he was desperate for some ass. Problem was, she didn't trade looks for smarts. Not only was she balls ass ugly, she was also one of the most brainless and clueless individuals I've ever known. Not intelligent. Not intelligent at all. God I hated her.

[MOBIUS]

Well the REAL IQ test is avoiding actually joining Mensa, because they appear to be mostly socially dysfunctional weirdos...

[MikeH]

I said no...

but in some circumstances it can be a good measure. For instance if someone quotes their IQ at you to try and convince you they are intelligent it does prove that they are an idiot.