Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

 BINET AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF IQ TESTS 
The fi rst real intelligence tests were developed by the French psychologist Alfred 
Binet (1857–1911). His tests followed from a simple premise: If performance on cer-
tain tasks or test items improved with chronological, or physical, age, performance 
could be used to distinguish more intelligent people from less intelligent ones within 
a particular age group. On the basis of this principle, Binet devised the fi rst formal 
intelligence test, which was designed to identify the “dullest” students in the Paris 
school system in order to provide them with remedial aid. 
Binet began by presenting tasks to same-age students who had been labeled 
“bright” or “dull” by their teachers. If a task could be completed by the bright students 
but not by the dull ones, he retained that task as a proper test item; otherwise it was 
discarded. In the end he came up with a test that distinguished between the bright and 
intelligence tests
Tests devised 
to quantify a person’s level of 
intelligence.
Major Approaches to Intelligence
Approach Characteristics 
Fluid and crystallized 
Fluid intelligence relates to reasoning, memory, 
intelligence 
and information-processing capabilities; crystallized 
intelligence relates to information, skills, and 
strategies learned through experience
Gardner’s multiple intelligences Eight independent forms of intelligence
Information-processing 
Intelligence is refl ected in the ways people store 
approaches 
and use material to solve intellectual tasks
Practical intelligence 
Intelligence in terms of nonacademic, career, and 
personal success
Emotional intelligence 
Intelligence that provides an understanding of what 
other people are feeling and experiencing and permits 
us to respond appropriately to others’ needs
FIGURE 4 
Just as there are many views 
of the nature of intelligence, there are 
also numerous ways to demonstrate 
intelligent behavior. This summary 
provides an overview of the various 
approaches used by psychologists.
Alfred Binet
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