"1IQ TESTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF A PERSON’S INTELLIGENCE Position Paper: Position taken as IQ Test is not an accuratemeasure of a person’s intelligenceNishad Bahulekar 2IQ TESTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF A PERSON’S INTELLIGENCEAbstractIntelligence quotient tests (IQ tests) are designed to assess the intelligence of the person takingthe test. Intelligence quotient tests are commonly modified and adapted by most countries toassess candidates for various positions in their academic and professional tenure. Even thoughthe Intelligence quotient test parameter is widely recognized across the globe, it leaves certainlevel of discrepancy. The reason to this dilemma is that “Intelligence is not defined yet”. Science is a subject explored both in theory as well as experimentation. Medical science hasadvanced to a greater degree when it comes to the anatomy of physical body as compared tothe mental faculty. There has been lot of ambiguity both in theory and practice about thedefinition of intelligence. It is also said that the brain consists of two parts - One dealing withthe creative and abstract area whereas the other takes care of the reasoning abilities. Inaddition to the brain, there is a substantial level of consciousness in every human being and thisconsciousness is defined as the mind. The psychological disorders are the result ofdiscrepancies or irrational thinking that happens in the mind. This leads to another question: IsMind part of the Brain? Or Is Brain part of the mind? And where do thoughts come from?Does intelligence have anything to do with rational and irrational thoughts? It has been said that intelligence can be measured and human beings can actually be classifiedas intelligent and dumb individuals. Both kinds of people those who stand for and against thisargument cannot prove their position. The paper addresses this discrepancy and argues againstthe concept that “Intelligence quotient test is the sole assessment criteria for a particularperson’s intelligence”.3IQ TESTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF A PERSON’S INTELLIGENCEIntroductionAlfred Binet the creator of the Intelligence quotient test did not believe that this test can measurea person’s intelligence. On the contrary, Alfred Binet believed that Intelligence quotient test canbe used to gauge the candidate’s performance for specific abilities. The belief that IQ tests canmeasure the intelligence of a person and categorize them into dumb, average and smart peopleis outrageous. Alfred was also of the opinion that mentally retarded people are differentcompared to normal people, but within normal people there cannot be another categorizationthat is “Smart and Dumb” people. If intelligence is defined on the basis of IQ test elements such as Logical thinking, spatial skills,Numerical ability and Verbal skills, then this intelligence assessment test would be of anincomplete nature. This is because intelligence is not limited to three or four areas on whichmost of the IQ tests are designed. One individual can be good with verbal skills and the othercould be an expert in numbers. This does not mean anything except for the fact that the latterindividual is not as good in prose as the former one. The difference between the score of Intelligence quotient tests can vary by a small number.Many times a candidate who scores 102 in the SAT (Standardized test for admission in UnitedStates), is considered to be more intelligent than the one who scores 99. This isn’t true becauseit won’t take much time for the latter candidate to improve the score from 99 to 102.Besides students come from different family backgrounds and some families are not sofinancially stable. Candidates from such families may not receive the best of education andmannerisms. This may lead to a lower score in the IQ test. Other factors that can contribute to a lower score in the IQ test are anxiety, stress or otherdisorder in the candidate at that moment of test attempt. Such disorders are momentary andonly occur during the test, for example some students have Exam anxiety. It is commonknowledge that these flaws are not addressed in any of the IQ tests that are conducted so far.The paper addresses these flaws and tries to make appropriate recommendations. (Armstrong,T., 1987)4IQ TESTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF A PERSON’S INTELLIGENCEDiscussionJean Piaget the father of cognitive development had quoted that “Intelligence is a complex termand it is always related to an organism’s adaptation to an environment”. Intelligent animals suchas Sea lions and penguins who know how to survive in harsh conditions? exist in the sameworld where humans exist. They have innate survival techniques which is a miracle of nature.Every living creature knows how to take care of their younger ones. Firstly, this intelligence isimbibed from nature and cannot be assessed by an IQ test. Secondly, it cannot be said thatsurvival technique is a given that does not require assessment of any kind. (N. J, & Dworkin, G.,1981) The performance of Army personnel is based on the same survival technique scenario. An Armyofficer is trained to survive in extreme climatic conditions and fight the enemy to protect thecountry’s borders. During the fighting moments, the question is, whether the officer fights for hisown survival or for the country? Another question in the similar scenario is, whether a laymanwith no training can survive in extreme conditions. Given that every individual will fight forsurvival, a layman would also do the same. (Feldman, D.H., & Bratton, J.C., 1972) It can be stated that every individual except for those who are mentally impaired possessintelligence. The intelligence may vary according to the grooming of the candidate in specific orvarious subjects. If the candidate likes to paint and thus groomed in painting since childhood,the result will be a good painter. Now, the society cannot expect the candidate to be a goodmathematician as well. The candidate is not trained in math and the candidate likes to paint andnot to solve math problems. The candidate’s disorientation for math does not make him lessintelligent. This simple example proves that intelligence evaluation is based on certain factorswhich are uncommon everywhere. (Armstrong, T., “Multiple Intelligences,”) 5IQ TESTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF A PERSON’S INTELLIGENCEFactors that influence intelligence level in a person without abnormalities of any kind: ? Education, ? Environment, ? Teacher to student communication ? Parent to child communication, ? Stability of Physical and mental health Beliefs about Religion and spiritualism also influence the assertiveness of the person. A moreassertive person will have increased ability to receive knowledge. A person with moreknowledge and skills can produce better results compared to the one that lives in isolation.These are not just factors that contribute to intelligence but these are also the essentials ofsurviving with intelligence. (Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.1987). 6IQ TESTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF A PERSON’S INTELLIGENCEBibliography1. Armstrong, T., In their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging your Child’s personalLearning Style (Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. , 1987). 2. Armstrong, T. , “Multiple Intelligences,”http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.htm 3. Block, N. J, & Dworkin, G. (eds.), The IQ controversy: Critical Readings (New York:Pantheon Books 1976). 4. Sarason, S.B. , Psychology Misdirected (New York: The Free Press, 1981) 5. Feldman, D.H., & Bratton, J.C., “Relativity and giftedness: Implications for equality ofeducational opportunity,” Exceptional Children, 1972, vol. 38."